Responses of Protein Malnourished Rats to Novel Objects

Rats deprived of normal amounts of protein early in life and then rehabilitated were placed in an open field in the presence of either familiar or novel objects. In the presence of the familiar objects, the experimental animals did not differ from controls. In the presence of the novel object, animals with a history of early malnutrition were less active than controls. The data are consistent with other findings that indicate that the rat suffering early malnutrition reacts more emotionally to environmental stimulation.