Effect of prenatal immobilization stress on spatial memory, anxiety-like behavior and brain BDNF concentration in the F1 generation male mice

Background and Aim: In this study, we investigated the effect of immobilization stress during pregnancy on the spatial memory, anxiety-like behavior and brain BDNF level in F1 generation male NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty female pregnant mice were randomly divided into stress and control groups. The stress group received stress using a restraint cylinder (6 cm ID, 20 cm L) 60 min/day from the 1st to the 15th day of pregnancy. The control group did not receive stress. The male F1 offspring was nursed by their mothers (n=10/group) until reaching weights between 20 and 25 g. Then they were tested for spatial memory using Barnes maze and anxiety-like behavior by the elevated plus-maze. Also, brain BDNF level was measured by means of an ELISA reader. Results: Barnes maze test results showed that the time and distance to reach the target hole were significantly (p<0.001) increased in the stress group. Also, the number of errors and anxiety-like behavior in the stress group were significantly (p<0.001) increased compared to those in the control group (p<0.001). BDNF level in the brain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the control group. Conclusion: The present study indicated that prenatal stress can lead to decreased level of BDNF in the brain of the offspring which may result in spatial memory disorder and anxiety-like behavior. Key Words: Restraint stress, Barnes maze, Spatial memory, Anxiety-like behavior, BDNF. &nbsp; Received: Feb 17, 2018&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Accepted: May 22, 2018