Meeting Abstract

P3.97  Wednesday, Jan. 6  Effects of Timing of KLH Exposure During Pregnancy on Offspring Physiology and Behavior in the Siberian Hamster CHESTER, E.M.*; FRENCH, S.S.; DEMAS, G.E.; Indiana University, Bloomington; Utah State University, Logan; Indiana University, Bloomington emcheste@indiana.edu

It is increasingly evident that influences other than genetics can contribute to offspring phenotype, including behavioral phenotype. In particular, maternal influences are an important contributing factor to offspring survival, development, and likely behavior. Common environmental pathogens such as viral or bacterial microorganisms can induce maternal immune responses, which have the potential to alter the prenatal environment via multiple different pathways. Here we characterize the effects of keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-induced humoral immune activation in Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) mothers at 4 time points on adult offspring behavior and physiology. KLH is a novel antigen that stimulates a B-cell mediated antibody response. Hamsters were injected with KLH or saline, either: 1) pre-mating, 2) early pregnancy, 3) mid-pregnancy, or 4) early post-partum. Mothers’ food intake and body mass were monitored throughout pregnancy. Litters were measured weekly for growth until adulthood when stress and immune responses, as well as social behavior, were examined. Social interactions involved placing an animal into a resident’s home cage and scoring behaviors (i.e., aggression, submission, grooming). Data will be presented on maternal and offspring measures. Collectively, these data will improve our understanding of the effects of maternal immune activation on the immune and endocrine systems and behavior of offspring in hamsters and likely other species.