The relationship between litter size and weight gain of neonatal guinea pigs was examined in 13 litters with a total of 34 offspring. The diets of the mothers were supplemented with 1% calcium glutonate. Without exception the larger the litter the smaller the weight gain of the piglets.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
GrotaL. J.AderR.Continuous recording of maternal behavior In Rattus norvegicus. Animal Behaviour, 1969, 17, 722–729.
2.
NoirotE.Changes in responsiveness to young in the adult mouse: I. The problematical effect of hormones. Animal Behaviour, 1964, 12, 52–58.
3.
RichardsM. P. M.Maternal behaviour in the golden hamster: Responsiveness to young in virgin, pregnant and lactating females. Animal Behaviour, 1966, 14, 310–313. (a)
4.
RichardsM. P. M.Maternal behaviour in virgin female golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus Waterhouse): The role of the age of the test pup. Animal Behaviour, 1966, 14, 303–309. (b)
5.
RosenblattJ. S.Nonhormonal basis of maternal behavior in the rat. Science, 1967, 156, 1512–1514.
6.
RosenblattJ. S.LehrmanD. S.Maternal behavior of the laboratory rat. In RheingoldH. L. (Ed.), Maternal behavior in mammals. New York: Wiley, 1963. Pp. 8–57.
7.
SchneirlaT. C.RosenblattJ. S.TobachE.Maternal behavior in the cat. In RheingoldH. L. (Ed.), Maternal behavior in mammals. New York: Wiley, 1963. Pp. 122–168.
8.
SeitzP. F. D.The effects of infantile experiences upon adult behavior in animal subjects: I. Effects of litter size during infancy upon adult behavior in the rat. American Journal of Psychiatry, 1954, 110, 916–927.
9.
SternJ. J.BronnerG.Effects of litter size on nursing time and weight of the young in guinea pigs. Psychonomic Science, 1970, 22, 171–172.