# PERINATAL DETERMINANTS OF DEVELOPMENT

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 1994 · $113,177

## Abstract

The overall goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms of
seasonal rhythms in reproduction and development of mammals.
Specifically, I propose to determine the mechanisms by which the mother's
photoperiodic history influences the development of her offspring, and
to describe the development of social behaviors underlying seasonal
variations in fertility.  The model species, the meadow vole (Microtus
pennsylvanicus), was chosen because there is extensive knowledge of its
natural history upon which to base hypotheses for experimental laboratory
analysis.

A growing body of research indicates that dams communicate photoperiod
information to their fetuses and this information influences neonatal
development.  Meadow vole dams are capable of fetuses and this
information to their offspring pre- and postnatally.  Additionally, the
length of time the mother has been in short days (whether she is still
sensitive to short daylengths or has become photorefractory) prior to
impregnation influences development of her offspring pre-and postnatally.
Communication of maternal photoperiodic history to the offspring
presumably allows them to develop appropriately for the season of their
birth.  This project addresses the mechanism(s) of the maternal
photoperiodic information transfer and the influence of photoperiod
history on development of social behaviors.

Specific aims include: 1) Delineation of the control of maternal-litter
contract time as a function of pup thermoregulatory abilities which are
influenced by the maternal photoperiodic history. 2) Determining the role
of melatonin in communicating information about photoperiodic history
between the dam and her offspring by measurement, removal and replacement
experiments.  3) Determining the effect of maternal photoperiodic
history, current photoperiod, and age of partner on mating behavior and
afflictive/aggressive social interactions that control population
fertility.

Successful completion of the proposed projects will enhanced our
understanding of mechanisms in the mothers and pups that result in
significant seasonal differences in physiological and social development.
A growing body of data demonstrates that humans are also affected by the
changing seasons both neonatally and as adults.  The extrapolation of
data from meadow voles to other short-lived rodents is plausible, and the
possibility of similar mechanisms operating in humans must be
entertained.  Ultimately seasonal effects on development, directed by the
human mother, may prove to be important in conjunction with other
environmental factors such as adequacy of nutrition.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199231
- **Project number:** 2R01HD024575-05A2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **SAM.gov UEI:** GNJ7BBP73WE9
- **Principal Investigator:** THERESA M LEE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $113,177
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1988-09-01 → 1997-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199231

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199231, PERINATAL DETERMINANTS OF DEVELOPMENT (2R01HD024575-05A2). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199231. Licensed CC0.

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