The placenta protects the fetal circulation from anxiety-driven elevations in maternal serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays crucial roles in brain function. Numerous studies report alterations in BDNF levels in human serum in various neurological conditions, including mood disorders such as depression. However, little is known about BDNF levels in the blood during pregnancy. We asked whether maternal depression and/or anxiety during pregnancy were associated with altered serum BDNF levels in mothers (n = 251) and their new-born infants (n = 212). As prenatal exposure to maternal mood disorders significantly increases the risk of neurological conditions in later life, we also examined the possibility of placental BDNF transfer by developing a new mouse model. We found no association between maternal symptoms of depression and either maternal or infant cord blood serum BDNF. However, maternal symptoms of anxiety correlated with significantly raised maternal serum BDNF exclusively in mothers of boys (r = 0.281; P = 0.005; n = 99). Serum BDNF was significantly lower in male infants than female infants but neither correlated with maternal anxiety symptoms. Consistent with this observation, we found no evidence for BDNF transfer across the placenta. We conclude that the placenta protects the developing fetus from maternal changes in serum BDNF that could otherwise have adverse consequences for fetal development.

Symptoms of Prenatal Depression Associated with Shorter Telomeres in Female Placenta

“…There were no significant associations when data from all participants ( n = 109) was analysed unadjusted ( Table 3 ). Disparate sex-specific features of prenatal vulnerability have been reported in relation to specific pregnancy conditions [ 26 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Data from male and female samples were therefore analysed separately.…”

Mentha pulegium L. (Pennyroyal, Lamiaceae) Extracts Impose Abortion or Fetal-Mediated Toxicity in Pregnant Rats; Evidenced by the Modulation of Pregnancy Hormones, MiR-520, MiR-146a, TIMP-1 and MMP-9 Protein Expressions, Inflammatory State, Certain Related Signaling Pathways, and Metabolite Profiling via UPLC-ESI-TOF-MS

“…Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is member of nerve growth factor family that has a structural role in neuronal development and function that is closely related to mood and behavioral disorders in many conditions [ 71 ]. All the treatments, except for But., decreased cortical contents of BDNF as compared to those of positive control reflecting neurogenesis inhibition.…”

High maternal BMI and low maternal blood BDNF may determine the limit of detection of amniotic fluid BDNF throughout gestation: Analysis of mother-fetus trios and literature review

“…BDNF in maternal serum predominantly reflects levels in platelets [ 20 ], but the source of fetal BDNF has to be elucidated. BDNF is expressed in human fetal ovary during all stages of ovarian development at weeks 9–20 of gestation [ 29 ] and several studies reported on levels in cord blood [ 30 ]. We found only five studies reporting on maternal and cord blood together [ 10 , 11 , 31 – 33 ] and all of them found higher BDNF concentrations in maternal compared to cord blood and only a weak positive correlation between maternal and fetal blood [ 10 , 30 ].…”

“…BDNF is expressed in human fetal ovary during all stages of ovarian development at weeks 9–20 of gestation [ 29 ] and several studies reported on levels in cord blood [ 30 ]. We found only five studies reporting on maternal and cord blood together [ 10 , 11 , 31 – 33 ] and all of them found higher BDNF concentrations in maternal compared to cord blood and only a weak positive correlation between maternal and fetal blood [ 10 , 30 ]. Furthermore, Dingsdale et al [ 30 ] have shown in a mouse model, expressing BDNF by megakaryocytes, that maternal BDNF does not cross the placenta.…”

“…We found only five studies reporting on maternal and cord blood together [ 10 , 11 , 31 – 33 ] and all of them found higher BDNF concentrations in maternal compared to cord blood and only a weak positive correlation between maternal and fetal blood [ 10 , 30 ]. Furthermore, Dingsdale et al [ 30 ] have shown in a mouse model, expressing BDNF by megakaryocytes, that maternal BDNF does not cross the placenta. Chow et al [ 34 ] described estradiol, multiple microRNAs and post-translational processing of precursor proteins and intracellular shuttling as regulators of BDNF expression in different maternal and fetal tissues.…”