The uterine environment enhances cognitive competence.
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.
Denenberg
V H
VH
Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-4154, USA.
Hoplight
B J
BJ
Mobraaten
L E
LE
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D002585:Cesarean Section; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009043:Motor Activity; D011247:Pregnancy; D013045:Species Specificity; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*