Early postnatal maternal temporary isolation stress in rats contributes to the development of anxiety-depressive symptoms in adulthood

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BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent and represent a significant social issue with heavy economic implications. AIM: To study the effects of maternal temporary isolation during early ontogenesis on the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study employed a maternal temporary isolation model as a form of early postnatal stress (from postnatal days 2 to 12). Two experimental groups were formed: a control group (n=20) and an “early maternal temporary isolation” group (n=20). On the 90th day of life, a behavioral test battery was used to assess the impact of early postnatal stress on the development of anxiety-depressive symptoms. The behavioral tests included the elevated plus maze, the Porsolt forced swim test, and the sucrose preference test. RESULTS: Behavioral testing in the elevated plus maze revealed that rats exposed to early maternal temporary isolation showed reduced time spent in the open arms and increased time in the closed arms compared to the control group, indicating heightened anxiety levels. In the Porsolt test, the early isolation group demonstrated increased immobility time compared to the control group. In the sucrose preference test, the early isolation group exhibited reduced sucrose solution preference, indicative of anhedonia. CONCLUSION: Stress exposure during early ontogenesis, a critical period for the development and maturation of brain structures responsible for psychoemotional behavior, can lead to their dysregulation and serves as a predictor for the development of anxiety-depressive symptoms in adult rats.