Early and long-term neuroendocrine effects of prenatal stress in male and female rats.
The effects of maternal stress, termed prenatal stress (PNS) on the neuroendocrine regulation of reproduction and the stress reactivity of offspring were studied in rats. PNS prevented the formation of sexual dimorphism in catecholamine levels, aromatase activity, and androgen 5alpha-reductase activity in the preoptic area of the brain and the mediobasal hypothalamus in 10-day-old rats. The morphological correlate of the functional lesions induced by PNS consisted of the elimination of gender-related differences in the volumes of neuron nuclei in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Prenatal stress altered the stress and adrenergic reactivities of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system in mature males and females. The long-term effects of PNS were regarded as a consequence of the disruption of the hormone-neurotransmitter imprinting of the neuroendocrine system.
Department of Reproductive and Adaptive Endocrinology, V. P. Komissarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ukrainian Academy of Medical Sciences.
A G
AG
Reznikov
N D
ND
Nosenko
L V
LV
Tarasenko
P V
PV
Sinitsyn
L I
LI
Polyakova
D000818:Animals; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000378:metabolism; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013256:Steroids / Q000378:metabolism; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology*
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D002395:Catecholamines; D013256:Steroids