Early malnutrition and postnatal changes in brain and behavior in the mouse.

The effects of early undernutrition were studied by rearing mice in small, intermediate or large litters (respectively 4, 8 or 16 pups). Measures of reflexes and electrocorticographic activity applied from birth to weaning indicated that malnutrition resulted in a clear ontogenetic retardation which was followed by permanent body and brain stunting. The mice from the large litters were characterized by increased exploratory activity and by lower avoidance learning ability as measured 45 days after nutritional rehabilitation.