[Behavioral teratogenesis. A new aspect of the pathology of prenatal development (author's transl)]

It has now been shown that, in the absence of malformation, functional disorders can exist, especially in the central nervous system as a result of diverse maternal and even paternal assaults on the developing conceptus. These disorders which are compatible with life include intellectual, behavioral and sensory-motor deficits. The causitive factors may be of toxogenic, dietetic or iatrogenic origin and may affect the conceptus differently according to its sex. A terminology corresponding to these more recent aspects of teratology is suggested, a distinction being made between morpho- and physio-teratogenic factors. In the framework of this terminology, certain practical aspects are envisaged: the dose of the causitive agent, the existence of a susceptible period during development, the existence of purely physio-teratogenic agents and the aspects of study methods. Finally, certain factors which can affect the optimum quality of offspring are described.