Belyaeva L.E., Fedchenko A.N., Ligetskaya I.V., Kovzova E.I., Stolyarova V.N.
The influence of combined prenatal stress on physical endurance, pain sensitivity and rats’ behaviour
Education establishment "Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University"
Abstract.
Objectives. To estimate the behaviour, physical endurance and pain sensitivity of rats in various periods of ontogenesis after combined prenatal stress for the subsequent search for methods of possible deviations correction.
Material and methods. The experiments were performed on 20 mongrel pregnant female Rattus Muridae weighing 200-250 g. Combined stress was modelled from the 2nd to the 16th days of pregnancy. Stress was caused by (1) food deprivation during one day with the provision of free access to water on the 2nd, the 9th and the 16th days of pregnancy; (2) upright immobilization of rats in the plastic box filled with water (t=23±2C°) up to the level of the neck during 20 minutes on the 4th and the 11th days of pregnancy; (3) the imitation of a predator presence (contact with Felis excrements during one day) on the 6th and the 13th days of pregnancy. The behaviour of the offsprings (14 rats born of mothers belonging to the «stress» group and 26 rats born of mothers of the «control» group) was studied in the «open field» test at the age of 1 month and 3 months. In the same periods of ontogenesis pain sensitivity and physical endurance were studied. The obtained data were processed by means of «Statistica 6.0» program.
Results. In the course of the experiment it has been determined that rats born of mothers exposed to combined stress during pregnancy are characterized by the increased anxiety and lower research activity, limited physical endurance and the increased sensitivity to pain. Male rats after prenatal stress demonstrated higher level of anxiety and lower investigative activity in the «open field» test in comprasion with females.
Conclusions. The consequences of combined stress suffered in the prenatal period manifest themselves by the increased anxiety, lower research activity and physical endurance as well as by increased pain sensitivity of the offsprings. These changes are stable and persist up to the age of sexual maturity.
Key words: combined prenatal stress, «open field» test, behaviour, pain sensitivity, physical endurance.
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