Long-term effects of maternal preeclampsia on anxiety, depression-like behavior, and inflammatory markers in adult rat offspring: a partially sex-dependent profile

Despite extensive research on maternal outcomes, the long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae of preeclampsia on offspring remain poorly characterized. This study examines the sex-dependent impact of preeclampsia on anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors and stress reactivity in offspring, focusing on underlying inflammatory and hormonal pathways. Preeclampsia was surgically induced in pregnant Wistar rats via reduced uteroplacental perfusion pressure. Male and female offspring (8 weeks old) were assessed for serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), testosterone, and cortisol responses to restraint stress. Anxiety and depressive-like behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus maze and tail suspension test. Male offspring of preeclamptic dams displayed elevated IL-6 and hs-CRP, reduced testosterone, and increased depressive-like behavior ( p < 0.05). Rats born to preeclamptic dams (both sexes) also exhibited higher anxiety indices ( p < 0.001) and prolonged cortisol responses to acute stress ( p < 0.001), but only males showed concurrent inflammation and behavioral deficits. Prenatal preeclampsia exposure was associated with partially sex-dependent neurobehavioral and inflammatory alterations in adult offspring, with males appearing more vulnerable to depression-like phenotypes. Further studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Not applicable.