Behavioral Deficits in Juveniles Mediated by Maternal Stress Hormones in Mice

Figure 5

Blocking CRH signaling in Gabrd^−/− mice during pregnancy increased pup survival and diminished the negative impact on offspring behavior. (a) A diagram outlining the experimental design. Gabrd^−/− dams were treated with Antalarmin from D14 to D21 of pregnancy and pup survival and offspring behavior in the juveniles were assessed at P21. (b) Antalarmin-treated Gabrd^−/− mothers exhibit an increase in pup survival compared to vehicle-treated controls. : Gabrd^−/− vehicle = 8 mothers, 52 pups; Gabrd^−/− + Antalarmin: 9 mothers, 68 pups; significance was determined as using Student’s -test. (c-d) Juvenile mice reared by Gabrd^−/− mothers treated with Antalarmin exhibit a decrease in anxiety-like and depression-like behavior at P21. (c) Offspring of Antalarmin-treated Gabrd^−/− mothers spend an increased amount of time in the center of the open field with no change in activity compared to vehicle-treated controls. (d) Offspring of Antalarmin-treated Gabrd^−/− mothers exhibited an increased latency to immobility and a decreased total time spent immobile in the forced swim test ( mice per experimental group; denotes using Student’s -test).

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