Lee T M, Moltz H
Physiol Behav. 1984 Sep;33(3):385-90. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(84)90158-6.
Preweanling rats selectively approach and consume pheromone-containing maternal feces. This selectivity suggests that the consumption of maternal feces might be important for the growing pup. Previous research suggested that such feces might promote brain development. A series of experiments was carried out in which pups were denied access to maternal feces. These pups were clearly inferior to control pups in brain growth and neurobehavioral maturation, as well as in the quantity of brain myelin.
断奶前的大鼠会选择性地接近并食用含有信息素的母鼠粪便。这种选择性表明,食用母鼠粪便可能对幼崽的成长很重要。先前的研究表明,此类粪便可能促进大脑发育。开展了一系列实验,在实验中不让幼崽接触母鼠粪便。这些幼崽在大脑生长、神经行为成熟以及脑髓磷脂数量方面明显不如对照幼崽。