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Corticosterone mediates some but not other behavioural changes induced by prenatal stress in rats

S Salomon1, C Bejar, D Schorer-Apelbaum

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University Medical Centre, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Journal of Neuroendocrinology
|November 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal stress in rats affects offspring behavior and development. Maternal adrenalectomy prevented these effects, suggesting corticosterone

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Prenatal stress is a significant environmental factor impacting offspring neurodevelopment and behavior.
  • The role of maternal hormones, particularly corticosterone, during gestation is crucial for fetal development.
  • Understanding the specific effects of prenatal stress and the mediating hormonal mechanisms is essential for addressing developmental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term effects of daily varied prenatal stress on learning, memory, and anxiety-like behaviors in adult Wistar rat offspring.
  • To determine the role of maternal corticosterone in mediating the observed effects of prenatal stress.
  • To differentiate the impact of prenatal stress and corticosterone on sex-specific behaviors and cognitive functions.

Main Methods:

  • Wistar rats were subjected to daily varied stress during gestation (days 13-21).
  • Offspring were assessed at 60 days of age using behavioral tests: elevated plus maze (anxiety), Morris water maze (spatial learning), and object recognition test (memory).
  • Maternal adrenalectomy with corticosterone replacement was used to isolate the hormonal effects.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal stress induced anxiogenic behavior in both male and female offspring and slowed spatial learning in males.
  • Object recognition memory was impaired in males (feminized) but not females following prenatal stress.
  • Maternal adrenalectomy prevented all behavioral and developmental effects, while corticosterone administration alone partially mimicked the anxiogenic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal stress significantly alters offspring behavior and cognition, with sex-specific effects.
  • While elevated corticosterone mediates anxiety-like behaviors, other adrenal hormones are implicated in the observed effects on anogenital distance, spatial learning, and object recognition memory.
  • These findings highlight the complex interplay of maternal hormones and environmental factors during critical prenatal periods.

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