Increased maternal attention during the first week of a rat pup's life modified a specific hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter by altering DNA methylation.

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This phenomenon is an example of epigenetic modification, where environmental factors (such as maternal attention) can lead to changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself. In this case, increased maternal attention affects the methylation status of the glucocorticoid receptor gene promoter in the hippocampus, which can have long-term effects on the stress response of the offspring.

Increased Maternal Attention During the First Week of a Rat