1. Postpartum maternal corticosterone decreases maternal and neonatal antibody levels and increases the susceptibility of newborn mice to herpes simplex virus-associated mortality.
- Author
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Yorty JL, Schultz SA, and Bonneau RH
- Subjects
- Adjuvants, Immunologic administration & dosage, Adjuvants, Immunologic blood, Administration, Oral, Animals, Animals, Newborn blood, Animals, Suckling immunology, Antibodies, Viral administration & dosage, Antibodies, Viral biosynthesis, Corticosterone administration & dosage, Corticosterone blood, Disease Susceptibility immunology, Female, Herpes Simplex immunology, Herpes Simplex prevention & control, Herpes Simplex transmission, Herpesvirus 2, Human physiology, Immunization, Passive, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Postpartum Period blood, Postpartum Period immunology, Stress, Psychological immunology, Virus Replication immunology, Adjuvants, Immunologic physiology, Animals, Newborn immunology, Antibodies, Viral blood, Corticosterone physiology, Herpes Simplex mortality, Herpesvirus 2, Human immunology, Immunity, Maternally-Acquired, Postpartum Period physiology
- Abstract
The effects of corticosterone on the transmammary transfer of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific antibody and the ability of the neonate to survive HSV-2 infection were assessed. Increased postpartum maternal corticosterone reduced the levels of total and HSV-specific IgG in the serum and milk of mothers. Neonates nursed by these mothers received increased levels of corticosterone and decreased levels of total and HSV-specific IgG. Accordingly, these neonates were more susceptible to HSV-2-associated mortality; however, survival was restored through passive immunization with HSV-specific antibody. These studies demonstrate that postpartum elevations in corticosterone compromise a mother's ability to provide protective antibody to their offspring.
- Published
- 2004
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