Pregnancy Experience Enhances Hippocampal BDNF and Behavioral Recovery Following Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Female Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prior pregnancy on hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and behavioral recovery following focal cerebral ischemia in female Wistar rats, exploring pregnancy-induced neuroplasticity as a potential neuroprotective mechanism against stroke. The experiment involved 48 female Wistar rats divided into four groups: Sham, Sham/Pregnant, Stroke, and Stroke/Pregnant. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 14 days of reperfusion. Behavioral recovery was assessed over 14 days using the open-field test (OFT) for motor and anxiety-like behaviors, and the shuttle box test for memory. Hippocampal BDNF concentrations were measured on day 14 via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Stroke/Pregnant group exhibited significantly higher hippocampal BDNF levels compared to Sham (p < 0.0001) and Stroke (p < 0.001) groups, alongside improved motor, anxiety-like, and memory performance compared to the Stroke group. The Sham/Pregnant group also showed elevated BDNF and enhanced baseline behaviors compared to Sham controls. Pregnancy was associated with higher hippocampal BDNF expression and improved behavioral recovery following ischemic injury. These findings suggest a potential link between pregnancy-related hormonal milieu, BDNF regulation, and neuroprotection, although further mechanistic studies are required to establish causality.GRAPHICS