Maternal prolactin inhibition at the end of lactation affects learning/memory and anxiety-like behaviors but not novelty-seeking in adult rat progeny

► Bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia can be used as a model of premature weaning. ► Anticipating weaning by three days causes malnutrition in offspring. ► Early weaning causes hypercorticosteronemia and hypothyroidism in adult rats. ► Memory/learning and anxiety in adult rats are affected by early weaning.