Prenatal Androgen Exposure Induces Anxiety-Like Behavior in Ewes

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In humans, prenatal androgen excess can lead to a broad spectrum of pathologies in adulthood, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS present a variety of reproductive and metabolic disturbances and they also face increased risk to develop neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Despite the high prevalence, the cause of depressive and anxiety symptoms is not fully elucidated. The use of androgenized ewe models can provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS, as they closely mimic the reproductive, neuroendocrine, and metabolic characteristics observed in women with this condition. <b><i>Method:</i></b> We studied the impact of prenatal exposure to testosterone propionate on cognitive and behavioral performances of Ile-de-France ewes, using a plethora of behavioral tests for anxiety and cognitive performances. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Our findings indicate that prenatal androgenized ewes exhibit markedly elevated levels of anxiety-like behavior compared to control animals, while showing no discernible differences in cognitive performance. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These discoveries offer novel perspectives on how maternal androgen excess contributes to anxiogenic effects in PCOS preclinical models, underscoring the ewe’s significance as a model for conducting mechanistic studies to unravel the physiological and molecular aspects of anxiety.