title: Effects of maternal stress on anxiety levels, macrophage activity, and Ehrlich tumor growth.
abstract: The present study analyzed the effects of maternal stress on behavior and immune function of mice. Pregnant mice received a daily footshock (0.4 mA) from gestational day 15 (GD 15) to GD 19. Experiments were performed on male offspring aged 2 months. The following results were obtained for offspring from dams stressed during pregnancy: (1) decreased locomotor activity observed in the open-field central zone; (2) decreased number of entries into the open arms of the plus-maze and decreased time spent in the exploration of these arms; (3) decreased macrophage spreading and phagocytosis, but no changes in macrophage NO(2)(-) production; (4) increased growth of both the ascitic and solid forms of Ehrlich tumor. These changes were unrelated to differences in gestational parameters and did not reflect altered maternal-pup interactions or nutritional factors. The observed data provide experimental evidence that maternal stress alters stress/anxiety levels, macrophage activity and Ehrlich tumor growth at the same time and in the same litter. The data were discussed in the light of possible neuroendocrine-immune system interactions.
authors.affiliation: Applied Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, CEP 05508-900, São Paulo, Brazil. jpalermo@usp.br
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palermo Neto
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Massoco
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fávare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000473:pathology*; D004597:Electroshock; D005260:Female; D008098:Litter Size / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology*