Effects of Stress Exposure during Adolescent Period on Inflammatory Pain Response, Psychoemotional Behavior, and Action of Antidepressants in Prenatally Stressed Adult Male Rats

We studied the effects of stress exposure during the adolescent period of development (SAPD) on the parameters of inflammatory painful response and the level of depression-like behavior in prenatally stressed adult male rats. In addition, we analyzed the effects of selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine and 5-HT_1A receptor agonist buspirone injected chronically to pregnant mothers for correction of behavioral disturbances caused by prenatal stress in their adult male progeny. In the formalin test, SAPD decreased integrated at the supraspinal level pain-like response that was increased by prenatal stress; under these conditions, buspirone and fluoxetine were ineffective in contrast to their antinociceptive action on spinally integrated pain-like response increased by SAPD. In the forced swimming test, SAPD had no effect on the level of depression-like behavior in prenatally stressed males; no differences in plasma corticosterone level were found in these animals.

Keywords: adult male rats; antidepressants; depression; inflammatory painful response; prenatal and adolescent stress.