Deprivation of Food during Pregnancy and Reproduction in the Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The effect of food deprivation (for 16 h on day 15 and day 18 of gestation) on reproduction in water voles (Arvicola terrestris) and their offspring was examined. In food-deprived mothers, fecundity was diminished and sex ratio of young was skewed toward males. Maternal food deprivation in late pregnancy had no effect on the reproductive performance of young males, but it increased reproductive potency of young females. A prolonged positive effect of food restriction on reproduction of female offspring may be important in restoring the size of the population in the next generation.