Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary mdicine, Shahrekord University
2
Department of Biology, Shahed University
3
Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4
Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
5
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
6
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University
Abstract
Objective: Prenatal stress can lead to alterations in cytokine secretion in the offspring, which may enhance inflammatory processes. We conducted a meta-analysis of rodent studies that evaluated the effects of prenatal stress exposure on the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the fetus and offspring.
Methods: Data were extracted, and effect size and heterogeneity were assessed using random-effects models, Cochrane Q, and I2 statistics.
Results: Prenatal stress consistently increased most pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-ϒ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) while decreasing the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10). Most of the cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) increased in the short term after prenatal stress (≤ 24 hours), except for IL-10, which decreased in long-term stress (P < 0.05). Challenges in offspring following prenatal stress had no significant effect on IL-10, IL-5, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Meta-analysis of the species subgroup indicated that significant changes in most cytokines (IFN-ϒ, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) only occurred in the rat fetus and offspring following prenatal stress. In contrast, only IL-10 significantly changed in both rats and mice.
Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicates important biological differences in the response to prenatal stress based on species, duration, and challenges faced by the offspring in immune response studies.
Keywords
)