Prenatal stress effects on functional development of the offspring

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter reveals prenatal stress effects on functional development of the off spring. The term “psychological stress” is used to denote situations that, although not physically harmful in terms of causing direct tissue damage, evoke behavioral and physiological responses that are characteristic of the “stress” response. Early reports that prenatal psychological stress in human subjects may influence the behavior of the offspring prompted a large number of studies in experimental animals in an attempt to provide more precise information about the nature of the changes induced by such stress and their underlying mechanisms. In the absence of any direct neural connections between the mother and foetus, it has been postulated that hormones (e.g., glucocorticoids, adrenaline) transported from the maternal blood to the placenta are the most likely mediators. The nature of the effect of prenatal stress on early physical development and later behavior appears to depend upon genetic factors, the severity of the stress, and its timing. These in turn determine whether abnormal maternal and foetal hormonal and neuronal activity occurs at a critical period of foetal development.