Effect of prenatal stress and extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields on anxiety-like behavior in female rats: With an emphasis on prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

Abstract

Overview

The study examines the effects of prenatal stress (PS) and exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) on anxiety-like behavior in female rats, with specific attention to the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain.

Method

• 24 female rats aged 40 days were divided into four groups: control, stress (exposed to maternal stress), EMF (exposed to maternal ELF-EMF), and EMF/stress (exposed to both maternal stress and ELF-EMF).
• Behavioral responses were evaluated using elevated plus-maze and open field tests.

Findings

• Increased anxiety-like behavior was observed in all experimental groups, most noticeably in the EMF/stress group.
• Significant upregulation of caspase-3 and downregulation of BDNF and GAP-43 proteins in specific brain regions were linked to these behaviors.
• Histomorphological analyses indicated extensive neurodegenerative changes in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

Conclusion

The interaction between prenatal stress and ELF-EMF exposure exacerbates anxiety-like behavior in female rats, potentially due to increased neurodegeneration and altered synaptic plasticity in crucial brain areas.