The impact of prefertilization chronic mild stress on postnatal morphometric development

Objective. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of chronic mild stress (CMS) induced before the fertilization on gestational maternal weight, length of gestation, and postnatal morphometric development. Material and method. Study is carried out on 18 Wistar albino rats; six females in the stress group, six females in the control group, and six males to be used for mating. CMS was induced in rats of the stress group for 4 weeks, followed by a post-CMS waiting period of 5-weeks. Rats were left for mating at the end of the post-CMS period. Weight gain in pregnant rats was monitored and length of gestation and litter size were recorded in the stress and control groups. Growth parameters of pups pertaining to the body, cranium, thorax, and limbs were measured until week 11. Findings. Weight gained by pregnant rats in the stress group was less than the control group. Increases in mean morphometric parameters from day 0 to week 11 in the stress group were less than the control group (p5 0.05). Furthermore, when developmental parameters at weeks 7, 9, and 11 were compared between genders, females in the stress group were found more affected than males (p5 0.05). Conclusion. CMS sustained before fertilization has a negative effect on gestational maternal weight and postnatal morphometric development of pups, more prominently in females.