Abstract:
In this study, the influence of prenatal stress on the morphological and morphometric changes of the main commissural structure of the brain - the corpus callosum and skull bones during postnatal ontogenesis was studied. Rats were used as an experimental model; pregnant females were subjected to stress through immobilization, noise, and light changes. Preparations obtained on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days of postnatal development underwent morphological and morphometric analysis.
The results showed that prenatal stress significantly disrupts the development of the corpus callosum: a decrease in the number of nerve fibers, thinning of axons, immaturity of the myelin layer, and hyperactivity of neuroglial cells were observed. Morphometrically, the thickness, length, and cross-sectional area decreased compared to the control group. These changes may be associated with a decrease in the functional integration of the central nervous system and a weakening of cognitive activity.
The study provides an important scientific basis for determining the neuroanatomical consequences of perinatal stress and understanding the pathogenesis of stress-related neuro-developmental disorders, including the autism spectrum and attention deficit syndromes.
