Cesarean section delivery is a risk factor of autism-related behaviors in mice

Sci Rep. 2021 Apr 26;11(1):8883. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88437-8.

Abstract

Cesarean section (C/S) is one way of delivering babies, and is chosen when mothers or babies are facing problems or life-threatening conditions during pregnancy. Many meta-analyses have suggested an etiological relationship between C/S delivery and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, as a risk factor for ASDs, C/S delivery has not yet been well studied. Because C/S deliveries have been increasing, it is very important to investigate the causal association between C/S and ASDs. Here, using three approaches, we showed experimentally that C/S delivery induced ASD-like traits in offspring mice, and that some of these changes were ameliorated by one-time oxytocin (OXT) treatment. Treatment with OXT receptor antagonists before natural delivery also induced ASD-related behaviors. Moreover, wild-type mice born to OXT-KO dams showed similar changes. Thus, insufficient OXT exposure from dams to offspring during delivery may be a trigger for ASD-related behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / etiology*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / genetics
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Cesarean Section / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Oxytocin / adverse effects*
  • Oxytocin / genetics
  • Oxytocin / pharmacology*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Oxytocin