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Gestational diabetes alters prefrontal neurochemistry and disrupts maternal behaviors: Role of Fibrillin-1, serotonin, and TNF-α in rats

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a metabolic disorder that can impact various aspects of maternal behavior and neurochemical processes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GDM on FBN1 (fibrillin-1) gene expression, TNF-alpha, serotonin and maternal behavior in rat. Materials and methods: A total of twenty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) group. The study compared maternal behavior patterns between the GDM and control groups and measured the following in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex: TNF-α and serotonin levels (via ELISA), and FBN1 mRNA expression (via qRT-PCR). Results: = 0.012) in the prefrontal cortex of GDM group were significantly higher than those in the control group. In terms of maternal behavior, the GDM group exhibited weakened behaviors compared to the control group. Specifically, endurance of maternal behaviors such as the duration of breastfeeding (P = 0.024), nesting (P = 0.016), and pup grooming (P = 0.017) were significantly decreased in the GDM group compared to control group. The speed of integration of maternal behaviors, specifically the latency to onset of pup retrieval (P = 0.0018), significantly increased, while the number of breastfeeding instances (P = 0.0026) significantly decreased in the GDM group compared to the control group. Furthermore, the emotionality (self-calming) aspect of maternal behavior, specifically self-grooming, exhibited a significant decreases in both duration (P = 0.0097) and number of instances (P = 0.0029) in the GDM group compared to the control group. In the hippocampus, only TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in the GDM group (P = 0.0003); no significant differences were found in serotonin or FBN1 mRNA expression. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that GDM significantly dysregulates prefrontal cortex neurochemistry (increasing TNF-α and FBN1 mRNA while decreasing serotonin) and profoundly weakens maternal behavior, affecting its endurance, speed of integration, and emotional components in rats.

Source: Metabolism Open

DOI: 10.1016/j.metop.2025.100422

Authors: Samira Khayat, Hamed Fanaei, Abdolvahed Safarzaei

Institution: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,120