Читать книгу Animal Behavior for Shelter Veterinarians and Staff - Группа авторов - Страница 59

The nutritional status of a dam and her exposure to certain stimuli during the 63‐day gestation period can influence postnatal behavior of her offspring. For instance, kittens show a preference for certain flavors fed to their queen during the prenatal period (Becques et al. 2009). Queens placed on protein‐ or calorie‐restricted diets can produce offspring with elevated emotional reactivity and impairments in social interactions, environmental exploration, and learning (Gallo et al. 1980). Even food restriction limited to the second half of gestation can result in abnormal physical and emotional traits (Smith and Jansen 1977). Studies from other mammalian species indicate offspring born to dams exposed to excessive environmental stressors, such as unpredictable noise stimuli, may suffer from impaired cognitive and neurologic development (Schneider and Moore 2000). Kittens exposed to significant prenatal stress may suffer similar developmental dysfunction.