Effects of maternal stress on anxiety levels, macrophage activity, and Ehrlich tumor growth

The present study analyzed the effects of maternal stress on behavior and immune function of mice. Pregnant mice received a daily footshock (0.4 mA) from gestational day 15 (GD 15) to GD 19. Experiments were performed on male offspring aged 2 months. The following results were obtained for offspring from dams stressed during pregnancy: (1) decreased locomotor activity observed in the open-field central zone; (2) decreased number of entries into the open arms of the plus-maze and decreased time spent in the exploration of these arms; (3) decreased macrophage spreading and phagocytosis, but no changes in macrophage NO(2)(-) production; (4) increased growth of both the ascitic and solid forms of Ehrlich tumor. These changes were unrelated to differences in gestational parameters and did not reflect altered maternal-pup interactions or nutritional factors. The observed data provide experimental evidence that maternal stress alters stress/anxiety levels, macrophage activity and Ehrlich tumor growth at the same time and in the same litter. The data were discussed in the light of possible neuroendocrine-immune system interactions.