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Zika Virus Inoculation During Pregnancy Impaired Maternal Care and Altered Prolactin and Corticosterone Levels in
Meirylanne Gomes-da-Costa1,2, Adriana Souza Dos Santos1,2, Anna Luísa Lothhammer Bohn2
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Developmental Neurobiology
|July 10, 2026
Summary
Gestational Zika virus (ZIKV) infection impairs maternal care in rats by altering key hormones. This study reveals ZIKV
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Zika virus (ZIKV) is known for teratogenicity and congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).
- Emerging evidence suggests ZIKV impacts maternal brain health and behavior post-infection.
- Maternal behavior is critical for offspring neurodevelopment and regulated by the HPA axis and prolactin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gestational ZIKV inoculation on maternal care in Wistar rats.
- To examine the relationship between ZIKV infection, maternal behavior, and prolactin/corticosterone levels.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rats were inoculated with ZIKV or vehicle on gestational day 9.
- Maternal behavior was assessed on postnatal days 4 and 8.
- Serum and hypothalamic levels of corticosterone and prolactin were quantified postpartum via ELISA.
Main Results:
- ZIKV-inoculated rats exhibited significantly impaired maternal care compared to controls.
- Postpartum ZIKV-infected rats showed reduced serum and hypothalamic corticosterone levels.
- Serum prolactin levels were also significantly lower in the ZIKV-infected group.
Conclusions:
- Gestational ZIKV inoculation negatively affects maternal behavior in rats.
- ZIKV infection alters the hormonal profile (corticosterone, prolactin) crucial for maternal care.
- Findings highlight ZIKV's impact on the maternal brain and emphasize the need for further research and therapies.
