title: Postpartum maternal corticosterone decreases maternal and neonatal antibody levels and increases the susceptibility of newborn mice to herpes simplex virus-associated mortality.
abstract: The effects of corticosterone on the transmammary transfer of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific antibody and the ability of the neonate to survive HSV-2 infection were assessed. Increased postpartum maternal corticosterone reduced the levels of total and HSV-specific IgG in the serum and milk of mothers. Neonates nursed by these mothers received increased levels of corticosterone and decreased levels of total and HSV-specific IgG. Accordingly, these neonates were more susceptible to HSV-2-associated mortality; however, survival was restored through passive immunization with HSV-specific antibody. These studies demonstrate that postpartum elevations in corticosterone compromise a mother's ability to provide protective antibody to their offspring.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Jodi L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Yorty
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Bonneau
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000276:immunology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D003345:Corticosterone