Early-life adversity reshapes growth and reproduction in rhesus macaques for decades

Many factors influence growth and reproductive patterns in animals and people alike. New research, led by postdoctoral researcher Rachel Petersen of the Lea Lab at Vanderbilt and Assistant Professor Sam Patterson of Notre Dame University, shows that adversity experienced during development may be an important factor to consider. The new paper, "Early-life adversity shapes the relationship between growth and reproduction in free-ranging female rhesus macaques" was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 5, 2026.