Evaluation of the Protective Effect of Astaxanthin Against Undesired Effects of Prenatal Bacterial Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Exposure on Maternal Behaviors and Neuronal Changes of Adult Male Offspring in NMRI Mice

Background: Prenatal bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) exposure causes damage of the brain and gonadal system.The aim of this study included determination of astaxanthin effect to ameliorate undesired effects of bacterial LPS during fetal period and improve maternal behavior, body weight and length and neural changes in adult male NMRI mice. Methods: Pregnant female mice were divided into four groups. 1) Control: this group received only distill water in gavage route at day 11 of pregnancy. 2) LPS group: this group received subcutaneous 20 µg/kg of body weight LPS at the day 11 of pregnancy. 3) AST receiving females: pregnant mice received 5 mg/kg body weight AST in gavage route at days 11, 12 and 13 of pregnancy. 4) Females receiving LPS+AST: pregnant female received 5 mg/kg AST in form of gavage route at time intervals 11, 12 and 13 of pregnancy. At the day 11 of pregnancy, they received 20 µg/kg LPS 1.5 h after AST gavage. Then, maternal care behaviors were assessed for 3 days. After breeding of offspring, the body weight and height were measured. Moreover, after adult of offspring at the day 60, the neuronal changes of the hypothalamus were studied.  Results: In this study, AST did not lead to significant improvement in maternal behaviors, body weight and height of offspring, however, AST conferred positive effect on neuronal cells of the hypothalamus. Conclusion: AST has neuroprotective effects which it might ameliorate the deficits presumably through its antioxidant property.