Perinatal endocrine and nutritional factors controlling physical and behavioural development in the rat

Normal prenatal growth and development of mammals is brought about by various extremely complex factors of genetic, nutritional, and hormonal nature. The interaction of all these factors leads to the establishment of normal structures and physiological and psychological functions in the newborn and thus to the possibility of an adequate development after birth. Normal postnatal growth and development also depend on various endogenous and exogenous phenomena such as hormones, social environment, and nutrition.