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Pregnancy in adolescent rats, growth and neurodevelopment in their offspring
T Zemunik1, M Peruzović, V Capkun
1Department of Biology, Split University School of Medicine, Split, Croatia. tzemunik@bsb.mefst.hr
Insights
Adolescent rat pregnancies result in reduced birth rates and delayed neurosomatic development in pups. Offspring exhibit growth delays, neurological immaturity, and increased mortality due to malnutrition and maternal stress.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Animal Models
Background:
- Adolescent pregnancy presents unique challenges in maternal care and offspring development.
- Understanding the impact of early-life stress on neurodevelopment is crucial for identifying long-term health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of adolescent pregnancy on the neurosomatic development of rat pups.
- To examine the relationship between maternal factors and offspring growth and neurological maturation.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of adolescent dams and their offspring versus a control group.
- Monitoring of maternal weight gain, food consumption, and pregnancy outcomes.
- Assessment of pup birth weight, growth, survival rates, and neurological reflex development.
- Measurement of plasma corticosterone levels in neonates and pups.
Main Results:
- Adolescent dams showed reduced conception and birth rates, with altered weight gain patterns.
- Neonatal pups exhibited elevated plasma corticosterone levels and were heavier at birth but showed reduced weight and numbers during lactation.
- Delayed neurological maturation was observed in pups, evidenced by impaired reflex development.
- Elevated corticosterone levels in pups during the first two postnatal weeks indicated sustained stress.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancy in adolescent rats negatively impacts offspring physical and neurological development.
- Malnutrition and maternal-infant stress in adolescent litters contribute to growth and neurodevelopmental delays.
- Adolescent pregnancy is associated with increased postnatal mortality in offspring.
Abstract:
Pregnancy, lactation and the relationship between mother and their offspring in adolescence was studied in terms of pups neurosomatic development. The frequency of conception and birth rate were reduced in adolescent dams. Their body weight gain was accelerated during the first two weeks of pregnancy, while a significant delay occurred in the third week. At birth, plasma corticosterone level in the neonates was increased. Adolescent dams ingested less food during the first week of gestation. Following that, till the second week of lactation, the food consumption was equal to that of control group. Although adolescent pups were heavier at birth, the reduction of their number and of their body weight occurred during lactation. Judging by appearance of grasping, righting, placing and of negative geotaxis reflexes, the delay in their neurological maturation was also present. The reason for the growth and neurodevelopmental delay during lactation is probably the result of malnutrition and stress of disturbed mother - infant relationship in adolescent litters, which lasted at least during the two postnatal weeks. It was indicated by the resting plasma corticosterone levels during the first two postnatal weeks. This finding suggests that the pregnancy in adolescent rats induces delay in physical and neurological development, as well as in the increased rate of postnatal mortality of their offspring.