Prenatal origins of individual variation in behavior and immunity

• Published in: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 2005-02, Vol.29 (1), p.39-49
• Main Authors: Coe, Christopher L., Lubach, Gabriele R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Behavior - physiology; Colony Count, Microbial; Cortisol; Development; Emotions; Female; Fetal; Hippocampus; Human Development - physiology; Humans; Immune System - physiology; Immunity; Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; Individuality; Infant, Newborn; Macaca mulatta; Monkey; Neuroimmunomodulation; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Stress
• ISSN: 0149-7634; 1873-7528
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2004.11.003

The in utero environment plays a critical role in initiating the normal ontogeny of many physiological systems. As a consequence, disturbances during prenatal life can affect the baby's maturational trajectory and sometimes cause chronic alterations that influence health postpartum. Our review summarizes a series of studies in rhesus monkeys supporting these conclusions. Psychological disturbance or pharmacological stimulation of the gravid female's pituitary–adrenal axis affected the infant's neurological development: monkeys evinced immature neuromotor reflexes at birth, greater emotionality during the first year of life, and a smaller hippocampus as juveniles. Immune responses of the infants were also affected: lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer activity and cytokine production were reduced. Several mediating pathways were implicated, including the placental transfer of hormones and nutrients, and a differential response of the infant monkey to the rearing environment. For example, the establishment of beneficial types of microflora in the gastrointestinal tract was significantly reduced, which was associated with a greater risk for enteric infection. These findings indicate that events during fetal life can persistently influence physiology after birth and tilt the balance away from health and toward illness.