Evaluation of hazard effects of immobilization stress on the brain and heart of pregnant rats and their pups

Abstract

ABSTRACT The prenatal and postnatal growth of offspring may be adversely impacted by maternal stress experienced during pregnancy. The objective of this study is to investigate the adverse effects of immobilization stress (IS) on pregnant rats and the possible complications on their offspring. Thirty female dams were randomly divided into two groups (15/group), the control group and the IS group. At gestation day 20, and post natal day7 (PND -7) the levels of serum serotonin, cortisol, and insulin and plasma glucose were assessed in dams. The congenital anomalies of offspring were also investigated. At PND-21, the brain and heart were excised from both mothers and their pups for histological and ultrastructural investigations. The results revealed significant decrease in serotonin and insulin levels, while an increase in cortisol and glucose levels in dams exposed to IS. Also, there was a remarkable reduction in the body weight of mother’s rats and their pups compared to the control. Moreover, exposure of pregnant rats to IS caused relative abortion (26%), and congenital anomalies (9.1%) along with histopathological signs in brain and cardiac tissues in mothers and their pups. Stress during pregnancy resulted in adverse effects on brain and heart in mothers and their pups.