Effects of mild prenatal decompressions on growth and behavior in the rat

Abstract

Two experiments report retarded physiological and behavioral development of rats prenatally exposed to a sequence of rapid, brief decompressions to 6,000 ft. In Experiment I, prenatally treated young gained weight more slowly than controls, acquired climbing skills at a later age, and ambulated less in an open field at 32 days of age. In Experiment 2, open-field data provided evidence for a critical period during the first 12 days of gestation.