Primate infant's effects on mother's future reproduction

Science. 1978 Sep 15;201(4360):1028-30. doi: 10.1126/science.98844.

Abstract

Female savanna baboons (Papio cynocephalus) had a longer postpartum amenorrhea and thereafter cycled longer before conceiving if their previous infant survived than if that infant died. Among mothers of surviving infants, differences in maternal care produced differences in age of weaning and age of independence but did not result in differences in interbirth intervals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amenorrhea
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Haplorhini
  • Maternal Behavior
  • Papio / physiology*
  • Postpartum Period*
  • Pregnancy
  • Reproduction*
  • Time Factors
  • Weaning