Technical Narrative: This U.S.-Egypt collaborative research project involving Cornell University and Cairo University is in the general area of animal physiology and behavior. Project funding will enable Mr. Mohammed Matoock of Cairo University the opportunity to work for 3 months in the laboratory of Dr. Katherine Houpt at Cornell University. Additionally, Dr. Houpt will visit and work at Mr. Matoock's facilities for a two week period. Their collaborative research will concentrate on the maternal behavior of Arabian horses. The main emphasis of the work is concerned with the intensity of maternal behavior in the immediate post-partum period and maternal attentiveness in the later period of foal development. Research results could aid in: identifying foal-rejecting mares, developing criteria for foal viability, and determining characteristics that predict optimal growth rates. This project in behavioral neuroendocrinology fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the United States and Egypt to combine complementary talents and pool research resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.
