Abstract
IMPLICIT in all physiological theories of learning is the concept that learning ability depends on neuronal interaction, a function of both the number of neurones and the extent of their interconnections. Although learning ability varies with axo-dendritic development1, a similar relationship to neuronal number has not been demonstrated, possibly because neuronal proliferation in most species, including rat2 and man3, has ceased in utero. As alterations in neuronal number must therefore occur before birth we hypothesised that any prenatal growth factor would increase the number of cortical neurones and enhance subsequent learning ability. We have investigated this question, using young rats which had received pituitary growth hormone as the prenatal growth stimulus.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Eayrs, J. T., Hormones in development (edit. by Hamburgh, M., and Barrington, E. J. W.) (Appleton-Century Crofts, New York, 1971).
Berry, M., and Rogers, A. W., J. Anat., 99, 691 (1965).
Dobbing, J., and Sands, J., Nature, 226, 639 (1970).
Munro, H. N., and Fleck, A., Methods of biochemical analysis, XIV, 113 (1966).
Thorson, S. C., Mincey, E. K., McIntosh, H. W., and Morrison, R. T., Br. med. J., 2, 67 (1972).
Horton, R., Kato, T., and Sherins, R., Steroids, 10, 245 (1967).
Hales, C. N., and Randle, P. J., Biochem. J., 88, 137 (1963).
Murphy, B. E. P., J. clin. endocr. Metab., 27, 973 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SARA, V., LAZARUS, L. Prenatal action of growth hormone on brain and behaviour. Nature 250, 257–258 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250257a0
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/250257a0
This article is cited by
-
Growth hormone as an early embryonic growth and differentiation factor
Anatomy and Embryology (2004)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.