The effect of different anamnesis during ontogeny on higher nervous activity in rats

The consequences of malnutrition, experimental experience and sensory deprivation during early postnatal life were investigated in adult rats. The higher nervous activity of experimental animals was evaluated by means of a battery of tests (exploratory activity, avoidance reaction, preference of a small chamber and a water maze). Rats were divided into 5 groups, i. e. control, trained (with previous experimental experience), light deprived, malnourished naive (12-14 animals in the litter) and malnourished trained. From experimental data obtained it may be concluded that the level of nutrition as well as sensory deprivation or additional stimulation during development are important factors the influence of which persists and modifies the somatic development and the higher nervous activity in adult animals. Light deprived and malnourished rats showed retarded somatic development and worse parameters of higher nervous activity. The difference between groups could be altered by augmented stimulation. Previous experimental experience and intensive handling seems to be an important factor which influences the higher nervous activity of experimental animals.