Spontaneous hypertension ion cross-suckled rats

Genetically normotensive Sprague-Dawley rats nursed by spontaneously hypertensive foster mothers develop sustained high blood pressure. Some factor related to the genetically programmed hypertension of the foster mother is probably transmitted to the infant rats through her milk. Alternatively, the hyperkinetic behavior of the mother may activate a hypertensinogen in young having the proper constellation of genes.