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Prenatal stress reduces S100B in the neonatal rat hippocampus
Daniël L A Van den Hove1, Harry W M Steinbusch, Matteo Bruschettini
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. d.vandenhove@np.unimaas.nl
Neuroreport
|June 23, 2006
Summary
Prenatal stress significantly reduces hippocampal S100B levels in neonatal rats. This reduction in S100B, a key brain development factor, may impact postnatal brain development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Prenatal stress is a known disruptor of neonatal brain development.
- S100B, an astroglial-specific neurotrophic factor, is crucial for normal brain development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of prenatal stress on hippocampal S100B concentrations in neonatal rats.
- To explore potential sex-specific correlations between S100B, corticosterone, fetal growth, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of pregnant Fischer 344 rats to stress conditions.
- Measurement of hippocampal S100B content in 1-day-old offspring.
- Assay of plasma corticosterone levels.
- Correlation analysis of S100B with physiological and molecular markers.
Main Results:
- Prenatal stress led to a 25% decrease in hippocampal S100B content in neonatal rats.
- In males, hippocampal S100B was negatively correlated with plasma corticosterone.
- In females, S100B levels positively correlated with fetal growth and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal stress reduces neonatal hippocampal S100B levels.
- This reduction may play a role in altered postnatal brain development.
- Sex-specific differences in S100B regulation were observed in response to prenatal stress.