Background: We hypothesized intrauterine growth restricted offspring (IUGR) demonstrate higher rates of aggression and higher dominance ranks than control (CTR) offspring with normal weight at term; if aggressive behavior is advantageous during resource scarcity, developmental programming may lead to an association between aggression and IUGR.
Methods: We studied 22 group-housed baboons (ages 3-5 years). CTR (male n = 8, female n = 5) mothers ate ad libitum. IUGR (male n = 4, female n = 5) mothers were fed 70% feed eaten by CTR mothers during pregnancy and lactation.
Results: IUGR showed higher rates of aggressive displays (P < 0.01) and friendly displays (P < 0.02). Dominance ranks and physical aggression rates did not differ between groups.
Conclusions: High rates of IUGR aggressive display might reflect developmental programming of behavioral phenotypes enhancing fitness. Friendly displays may reflect reconciliation. Potential mechanisms include neurodevelopment and learning. Exploration of IUGR as a risk factor for behavioral patterns is important for developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Keywords: Papio; behavioral phenotype; developmental programming; dominance; maternal nutrition; nonhuman primate; nutrient restriction; social behavior.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.