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The effect of chronic stress on prenatal development of the central nervous system

L N Giordana1, A A Bozzo, D S Cots

  • 1Cell Biology and Embryology, Animal Anatomy Department, School of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto.

Biotechnic & Histochemistry : Official Publication of the Biological Stain Commission
|November 26, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Chronic stress during pregnancy in rats reduced embryonic brain cell proliferation by day 21, particularly in the cortex and dentate gyrus. This neurodevelopmental impact was linked to hormonal changes, affecting offspring

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Embryonic development relies on homeostasis.
  • Maternal stress can negatively impact fetal neurodevelopment.
  • Chronic immobilization stress during pregnancy is a potential disruptor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of chronic maternal stress on embryonic brain cell proliferation.
  • To examine specific brain regions: forebrain, hippocampus, dentate gyrus, and cortex.
  • To assess these effects at different gestational ages (12, 17, and 21 days).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a rat model of chronic immobilization stress during pregnancy.
  • Examined embryonic brain sections at 12, 17, and 21 days of gestation.
  • Employed anti-PCNA immunolabeling and stereological analysis on 540 images.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in cell proliferation were observed at 12 and 17 days of gestation.
  • A statistically significant decrease in cell proliferation was found in the cortex and dentate gyrus by day 21 of gestation in stressed embryos.
  • These proliferative changes correlated with decreased plasma prolactin and increased corticosterone levels.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic maternal stress can impair embryonic neurodevelopment, specifically affecting cell proliferation in later gestation.
  • Hormonal alterations (prolactin and corticosterone) are implicated in mediating the stress-induced effects on fetal brain development.
  • Findings suggest potential long-term implications for offspring susceptibility to psychiatric disorders.

Keywords:
PCNAcentral nervous systemgestationprenatal stressproliferationrats

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