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Behavioral despair in mice after prenatal stress
S J Alonso1, C Damas, E Navarro
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain).
Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry
|October 3, 2000
Summary
Prenatal stress in mice did not show sex differences in depression behaviors. However, maternal stress increased depression and locomotor activity specifically in adult female mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Maternal stress during pregnancy can impact offspring behavior.
- Studies suggest potential sex differences in stress-induced behavioral alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sex differences in depression-related behaviors in mice following prenatal stress.
- To determine the specific effects of prenatal stress on immobility and locomotor activity in male and female mice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the forced swim test to assess immobility as a measure of depression.
- Employed the open-field test to evaluate locomotor activity (ambulation, rearing) and behavior.
- Compared behavioral outcomes between control and prenatally stressed groups for both male and female mice.
Main Results:
- No significant sex differences were observed in baseline immobility or open-field test behaviors.
- Prenatal stress led to increased immobility in female mice but not in male mice.
- Prenatal stress resulted in increased ambulation in female mice, with no significant changes in rearing or boluses for either sex.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal stress does not induce sex differences in depression-related behaviors in mice.
- Prenatal stress specifically increases depression-like behavior and locomotor activity in adult female mice.
- These findings highlight the differential impact of prenatal stress on female offspring behavior.