Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with increased risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline was administered to rats to model maternal infection, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in maternal plasma, placenta, amniotic fluid, fetal liver/spleen, fetal brain, and cerebral cortex after birth were determined by ELISA or semiquantitative Western blot analysis. BDNF expression was significantly increased in the fetal brain ( p=0.039); NGF expression was significantly increased in neonatal cortex ( p=0.0009). Neurotrophic factor expression was also altered in other tissues of the maternal–fetal unit. Abnormal expression of neurotrophic factors represents a potential mechanism through which maternal infection increases risk for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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