Behavioral effects of environmental enrichment during gestation in WKY and Wistar rats

Effects of prenatal environmental enrichment (EE) were examined in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) “depressive- and anxious-like” rats and Wistar rats. During gestation, dams lived in standard cages or in EE cages. Their behavior during gestation and lactation was observed. On weaning day, they were tested in the forced swimming test, and corticosterone concentration was measured from their plasma. The offspring, reared in standard environment, were tested as juveniles or young adults in the elevated plus maze, open field and forced swimming tests. Corticosterone concentration in feces was analyzed. EE offspring showed more anxiety-like behaviors and less activity, compared to controls. Effects were more prominent in youth than in adulthood and in Wistar rats more than in WKY. EE lowered corticosterone concentration in young WKY rats’ feces. EE induced changes in the dams’ behavior during gestation and lactation. These changes in dams’ behavior could be mediators of the effects on the offspring.

► Wistar and Wistar Kyoto pregnant dams lived in standard or enriched cages.
► EE induced changes in the dams’ behavior during gestation and lactation.
► In offspring, EE decreased activity and increased anxiety-like behaviors.
► In offspring, effects were more prominent at youth and in Wistar rats.