Denenberg V H, Hoplight B J, Mobraaten L E
Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4154, USA.
Neuroreport. 1998 May 11;9(7):1667-71. doi: 10.1097/00001756-199805110-00074.
Genetically identical mouse embryos were transferred into same-strain uteri (transfer controls) or into hybrid uteri. A third group was not transferred. When adult, the mice were given a series of behavioral tests. In-strain transfer controls differed from non-transfer mice only on two activity measures, and did not differ on any cognitive variable. In contrast, mice reared in hybrid uteri were found to be superior to in-strain transfer mice on discrimination learning. Lashley maze learning and Morris maze learning; they also showed better adaptation in an avoidance learning shuttlebox. To our knowledge this is the first study showing that the uterine environment can have a general enhancing effect upon cognitive competence across a broad range of behaviors.
