Effect of terror stress of adult female rats on spatial learning and Wemory abilities in neonatal offspring

Objective To explore the effect of terror stress of pre-pregnant rats on the spatial learning and memory abilities of neonatal offspring.Methods The terror stress model of rats was established according to the method of watching other rats shocked by electricity,and the place navigation and probe trial testing of Morris water maze task were performed to assess the spatial learning and memory abilities of the offspring at the age of 1 month.Results In place navigation test for 4 days,the average latency time was 89.5±27.2 s,70.7±40.0 s,57.4±38.3 s,and 55.5±35.9 s in the model group,while it was 47.7±16.7 s,39.8±20.6 s,30.9±18.9 s,and 26.6±13.3 s in the control group,respectively.Compared with the control group,the mean escape latency was prolonged in the model group,with significant difference(P<0.05).Compared with those in the control group,the neonatal offsprings in the model group chose non-effective strategies more frequently,with significant difference(χ²=5.104,P=0.024).In probe trial testing,compared with the control group,the average speed of the model group was slower and the percent of swimming distance within the 20% rim quadrant was larger,but smaller in other quadrant(P<0.05).Conclusion Terror-stimulated adult female rats could induce decreased spatial learning and memory abilities in their offsprings.