Maternal chewing during stress suppresses stress-induced activity in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
Objectives: Stressors during pregnancy induces developmental brain impairment and emotional abnormalities in pups. We previously reported that maternal chewing during stress rescues the stress-induced decreases in hippocampal neurogenesis, cognitive impairment, and anxiety-like behavior in the pups. To examine the effects of chewing during maternal restraint stress on stress-induced activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dams, we analyzed expression levels of arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and plasma corticosterone levels.
Methods: Mice were divided into three groups: control, stress, and restraint/chewing groups. Mice during pregnancy were exposed to restraint stress beginning on day 15 and continuing until delivery (stress). Dams were given a wooden stick to chew on during restraint stress (restraint/chewing). Mice in the control group were not exposed to restraint stress.
Results: AVP mRNA expression in the PVN and plasma corticosterone levels were significantly increased in the stress group, but not in the control and restraint/chewing groups.
Conclusion: The results suggest that maternal chewing contributes to suppress stress-induced activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in dams, which in turn reduces the stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, cognitive impairment, and decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis in the pups.
Division: Japanese Division Meeting
Meeting:2012 Japanese Division Meeting (Niigata, Japan) Location: Niigata, Japan
Year: 2012 Final Presentation ID: Abstract Category|Abstract Category(s):Scientific Program
Authors
Onishi, Mika
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Wakamatsu, Noriko
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Kurahashi, Minori
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Kondo, Hiroko
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Kuraya, Chika
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Iinuma, Mitsuo
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Tamura, Yasuo
( Dental College, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Mori, Daisuke
( Asahi University, Mizuho, N/A, Japan
)
Kubo, Kin-ya
( Seijoh University Graduate School, Nagoya, N/A, Japan
)