Edwards A A, Mathura C B, Edwards C H
J Natl Med Assoc. 1983 Sep;75(9):895-902.
Clay eating, a form of geophagia, is often observed in the human population, particularly during pregnancy. The intent of this study was to determine the effects of maternal geophagia on developmental and behavioral characteristics of the offspring. Twelve Sprague-Dawley female rats and their 88 progeny were divided into three groups: control, 20 percent clay, and 35 percent clay. The experimental diets were fed to adult rats during the period of gestation and for 14 days following parturition. Righting reflex, homing response, and activity level tests were administered and hemoglobin concentrations and red blood cell counts were determined. Data suggest that the higher level of maternal clay ingestion during the perinatal period decreased growth and development of motor skills in the infant pups. Homing skills, however, were enhanced.
食土癖的一种形式——吃黏土，在人群中经常被观察到，尤其是在孕期。本研究的目的是确定母体食土癖对后代发育和行为特征的影响。将12只斯普拉格-道利雌性大鼠及其88只后代分为三组：对照组、20%黏土组和35%黏土组。在妊娠期间及产后14天给成年大鼠喂食实验性饮食。进行了翻正反射、归巢反应和活动水平测试，并测定了血红蛋白浓度和红细胞计数。数据表明，围产期母体摄入较高水平的黏土会降低幼崽运动技能的生长和发育。然而，归巢技能得到了增强。
