Long-term effects of infant malnutrition on the behaviour of adult meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1304-1308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Lee Wong ◽  
Søren Bondrup-Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Pup Retrieval ◽  
Cumulative Duration ◽  
And Control ◽  
Poor Nutrition

Several studies on laboratory mice and rats have shown that malnutrition during infancy has a variety of long-term effects extending into adulthood. These effects are manifested in reproduction, including reduced litter sizes, reduced growth rates of the young, and skewed sex ratios, and in behaviour, including increased nervousness, decreased problem-solving ability, and reduced pup retrieval to the nest by the mother. This study investigated the effects of early malnutrition on behaviour in adult meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Experimental animals received a standard diet diluted with pure cornstarch (1 part standard diet to 2 parts pure cornstarch) through their mothers during lactation and directly for 3 weeks postweaning. Control individuals always received the standard diet ad libitum. The cumulative duration of 13 behaviours was measured in 10-min trial periods and compared between experimental and control animals. Experimental females differed from control females in a number of behaviours, especially those involving high activity levels, whereas experimental and control males showed little difference in the behaviours performed. The behaviour profile of previously malnourished females was similar to those of both control and experimental males. Increased activity, resulting from poor nutrition, may have consequences for dispersal and spacing behaviour.

Long-term effects of malnutrition on reproduction: a laboratory study with meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, and red-backed voles, Clethrionomys gapperi

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Søren Bondrup-Nielsen ◽  
Peter M. Foley
Keyword(s):  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Clethrionomys Gapperi ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Experimental Animals ◽  
Behavioural Effects ◽  
Ecological Implications ◽  
Catch Up ◽  
Growth And Reproduction

Infant malnutrition has long-term behavioural effects. We determined the long-term effects of infant malnutrition on reproduction in meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) and red-backed voles (Clethrionomys gapperi). Experimental animals received standard diets diluted with cornstarch (2:1) during a combination of the following periods: gestation, lactation, and for 3 weeks postweaning. Growth and reproduction of these animals were compared with those of control individuals. During the administration of starch-diluted diets growth was retarded but subjects experienced "catch-up" once they were put on normal diets. Effects on reproduction of individuals that had experienced malnutrition as infants were minimal. Litter size was greater (both species), the proportion of females reproducing was greater (meadow voles), and birth mass was greater (meadow voles), but the growth rate of offspring was slightly lower (both species), for females malnourished as infants. The ecological implications of infant malnutrition are discussed.

scholarly journals Stand Structure and Composition 32 Years after Precommercial Thinning Treatments in a Mixed Northern Conifer Stand in Central Maine

2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron R. Weiskittel ◽  
Laura S. Kenefic ◽  
Rongxia Li ◽  
John Brissette
Keyword(s):  
Stand Structure ◽  
Abies Balsamea ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Mixed Species ◽  
Precommercial Thinning ◽  
Large Trees ◽  
Stand Attributes ◽  
And Control

Abstract The effects of four precommercial thinning (PCT) treatments on an even-aged northern conifer stand in Maine were investigated by examining stand structure and composition 32 years after treatment. Replicated treatments applied in 1976 included: (1) control (no PCT), (2) row thinning (rowthin; 5-ft-wide row removal with 3-ft-wide residual strips), (3) row thinning with crop tree release (rowthin+CTR; 5-ft-wide row removal with crop tree release at 8-ft intervals in 3-ft-wide residual strips), and (4) crop tree release (CTR; release of selected crop trees at 8×8-ft intervals). PCT plots had more large trees and fewer small trees than the control in 2008. There were no other significant differences between the rowthin and control. The rowthin+CTR and CTR treatments had lower total and hardwood basal area (BA) and higher merchantable conifer BA than the control. CTR also resulted in more red spruce (Picea rubens [Sarg.]) and less balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.]) than the other treatments. Although stand structures for rowthin+CTR and CTR were similar, the percentage of spruce in CTR was greater. Although the less-intensive rowthin+CTR treatment may provide many of the same benefits as CTR, the latter would be the preferred treatment if increasing the spruce component of a stand is an objective. Overall, early thinning treatments were found to have long-term effects on key stand attributes, even more than 30 years after treatment in areas with mixed species composition and moderate site potential.

scholarly journals Early Life Maternal Separation and Maternal Behaviour Modulate Acoustic Characteristics of Rat Pup Ultrasonic Vocalizations

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine H. Kaidbey ◽  
Manon Ranger ◽  
Michael M. Myers ◽  
Muhammad Anwar ◽  
Robert J. Ludwig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Separation ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Ultrasonic Vocalizations ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Acoustic Characteristics ◽  
Rat Pups ◽  
Before And After ◽  
And Control

AbstractEarly separation of preterm infants from their mothers has adverse, long-term neurodevelopmental consequences. We investigated the effects of daily maternal separation (MS) of rat pups from postnatal days 2–10 (PND2–10) on neurobehavioural responses to brief isolation at PND12 compared with pups receiving controlled handling without MS. Ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) were measured at PND12 during two, 3-minute isolations occurring immediately before and after a 3-minute maternal reunion. There were no significant differences in acoustic characteristics between MS and control animals in the first isolation. However, in the second isolation, MS pups produced a greater proportion of high (~60 kHz) vs low (~40 kHz) frequency calls. During this isolation, control pups made longer and louder low frequency calls compared to the first isolation, whereas MS pups did the opposite. Maternal behaviour of control and MS mothers modulated pup acoustic characteristics in opposite directions; higher maternal care was associated with more low frequency calls in control pups but more high frequency calls in MS pups. We hypothesize that MS results in USV emission patterns reflective of a greater stress response to isolation. This translational model can be used to identify mechanisms and interventions that may be exploited to overcome the negative, long-term effects of MS.

Risks in the built environment

1981 ◽  
Vol 376 (1764) ◽  
pp. 151-165 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Accidental Injury ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
And Control ◽  
Transport Accidents

There are good statistics for deaths in transport accidents, fires, and from accidents in the home in Great Britain, and considerable (but less comprehensive) information about injuries and material damage. Information about the causes of these events is much more scanty, and little is known about the long-term effects of accidental injury. The available data are reviewed and the nature, magnitude and frequency of various kinds of risks are analysed for different age groups and in relation to environmental and other factors. The contribution of ‘volun­tary’ actions (notably alcohol and smoking) is assessed. Finally, the extent to which both actual and perceived risk can be modified by education, engineering (modifying the design of roads, vehicles, aircraft, homes and fittings), and the enforcement of regulations and control systems is evaluated. While costs cannot easily be measured, false perceptions of risk can lead to wasteful investment, and education and information are essential if resources are to be deployed where they will do most good.

Control of Small Mammals on a Hardwood Plantation by Poison-Bait Feeders

1977 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 96-99
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Martell ◽  
Andrew Radvanyi
Keyword(s):  
Small Mammals ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Meadow Vole ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Southern Ontario

Poison-bait feeder stations were placed on a hardwood plantation in southern Ontario in 1973 to attempt long-term control of a meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) population by continuous dispensing of poisoned grain. Baiting by means of feeders successfully reduced the numbers of meadow voles and maintained them at a low density, about 3-6/ha (1.2-2.4/acre), through April 1976. During the same period, the density of meadow voles on surrounding unpoisoned areas declined from a 1973 peak to about the same as that found on the poisoned plot by fall and winter 1975-76. Despite that low density, less than 4/ha (1.6/acre), severe gnawing and girdling of young hardwoods occurred during winter. Poison-bait feeders are efficient at reducing meadow vole populations from high to low density, but it cannot be assumed that even those low-density populations will not damage hardwood plantations.

scholarly journals Long-Term Effects of AposTherapy in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Two-Year Followup

Arthritis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaron Bar-Ziv ◽  
Eytan M. Debbi ◽  
Yuval Ran ◽  
Shaike Benedict ◽  
Nahum Halperin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Group ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Physical Scale ◽  
And Function ◽  
And Control ◽  
Knee Society Function Score

Several biomechanics treatments for knee osteoarthritis (OA) have emerged with the goal of reducing pain and improving function. Through this, researchers have hoped to achieve a transition from the pathological gait patterns to coordinated motor responses. The purpose of the study was to determine the long-term effects of a therapy using a biomechanical device in patients with knee OA. Patients with knee OA were enrolled to active and control groups. The biomechanical device used in therapy (AposTherapy) was individually calibrated to each patient in the active group. Patients in the control group received standard treatment. Outcomes were the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Aggregated Locomotor Function (ALF), Short Form 36 (SF-36), and Knee Society Score assessments. The active and control groups were similar at the baseline (group difference in all scores ). The active group showed a larger improvement over time between groups in all three WOMAC categories (, 21.7, and 18.1 for pain, stiffness, and function; all ), SF-36 Physical Scale (; ), Knee Society Knee Score (; ), and Knee Society Function Score (; ). At the two-year endpoint, the active group showed significantly better results (all ). The groups showed a difference of 4.9, 5.6, and 4.7 for the WOMAC pain, stiffness, and function scores, respectively, 10.8 s in ALF score, 30.5 in SF-36 Physical Scale, 16.9 in SF-36 Mental Scale, 17.8 in Knee Society Knee Score, and 25.2 in Knee Society Function Score. The biomechanical therapy examined was shown to significantly reduce pain and improve function and quality of life of patients with knee OA over the long term.

scholarly journals Breeding performance in captivity of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) from decline- and increase-phase populations

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 1561-1566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Mihok ◽  
Rudy Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Prior Experience ◽  
Microtus Pennsylvanicus ◽  
Small Field ◽  
Breeding Performance ◽  
Meadow Voles ◽  
Decline Phase ◽  
The Poor ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Two Generations

A major enigma in understanding microtine cycles is the failure of decline-phase animals to increase. We compared the performance of wild-caught meadow voles and their progeny from Pinawa, Manitoba, collected from a decline year (1985) with that of animals from an increase year (1986) by breeding them in the laboratory in Pinawa (animals from both years) and in the field and laboratory in Toronto (only F1 and F2 animals from 1985). Overall only 35% of the 1985 females or their progeny bred in the laboratory in Pinawa compared with 100% of the 1986 females. The interval between pairing with a male and birth of litters was 2–7 months for the 1985 females compared with 3–4 weeks for the 1986 females. The poor breeding performance of 1985 females occurred only in the laboratory; in small field enclosures in Toronto all F1 and F2 females conceived and had litters within 3–4 weeks. In contrast, 1985 males readily sired litters either with 1986 females in the laboratory or with Toronto females in the field. We conclude that the prior experience of decline-phase females had long-term detrimental consequences for the performance of the first two generations under laboratory conditions.

scholarly journals Travel and Tourism

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Tourism Sector ◽  
Political Expediency ◽  
History Of

The travel and tourism sector was hit more rapidly and deeply by COVID-19 than most other sectors. Recovery to pre-COVID-19 activity levels is likely to be prolonged, and questions are raised whether enforced change in consumer behaviour will have long-term effects. The travel and tourism sector has a history of reinventing itself, and previous predictions of decline following crises have often been short-lived. This chapter reviews historical precedents and theories of consumer behaviour to explore whether recovery will be different this time round, especially given the possible habit breaking effects of online substitutes, and political expediency of reducing causes of climate change.

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