RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT
"New evidence for avoiding pregnancy stress"
(courtesy of Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center)

Stress during pregnancy has long-lasting effects on the behavior
of primate offspring, the results of one study show.

Mary Schneider, Ph.D., reseacher at the Harlow Primate Laboratory
at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has completed a study in
which she assessed the behavioral responses to social separation
of 12 eight-month-old rhesus monkeys. 

Schneider found that there were few differences in behavior between
control monkeys and prentally stressed monkeys during social
separation. However, when the monkeys were reunited with their cage
mates, Schneider found several behavioral differences. Prenatally
stressed monkeys spent more time clinging to their surrogates,
exploring, eating and drinking water. Control monkeys showed more
locomotion and social play with their cage mates.

Schneider also assessed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations
of biogenic amines and metabolites in the monkeys when they were
eight months old and again when they were 18 months old. Schneider
found that prenatally stressed monkeys had higher concentrations
of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and
3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in CSF than control monkeys.

In a previous study of 24 rhesus monkeys, Schneider found that
prenatally stressed monkeys had lower birth weights, took longer
to become self-feeding, were more easily distracted and scored
lower in motor skills than control monkeys. 

After that study, Schneider reminded women through the widely read
"Sesame Street Parents" magazine that it is important to keep
stress levels manageable during pregnancy and the childbearing
years. She suggested that moms-to-be find time each day to relax.
She also suggested that pregnant women remember to have open
discussion about their concerns with the rest of the family.

Reference: Schneider, M.L., A.S. Clarke, G.W. Kraemer, E.C.
Roughton, G.R. Lubach, S. Rimm-Kaufman, D. Schmidt, M. Ebert. 1998
Prenatal stress alters brain biogenic amine levels. Dev.
Psychopathol. 10(3):427-440.

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Primate-Science Research Highlights appears every other week and focuses
broadly on research involving non-human primates. Coverage includes
biomedicine, behavior, conservation and veterinary science. Please
submit highlights for this column to Larry Jacobsen, Primate-Science Research
Highlights editor, at jacobsen@primate.wisc.edu. A 300-word limit and
lay-language style are recommended. Primate-Science Research Highlights are
supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health,
National Center for Research Resources.  Copyright 1999,
Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center. No portion of this highlight
may be copied or redistributed without the consent of the editor.

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