MORPHOFUNCTIONAL CHANGES IN LONG BONES OF 14-DAY-OLD OFFSPRING OF MOTHERS EXPOSED TO PRENATAL STRESS

Abstract

Prenatal maternal stress is considered an important environmental factor capable of modifying fetal development through neuroendocrine and metabolic pathways. Activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis during maternal stress increases glucocorticoid exposure, which may affect osteoblast proliferation, osteoclast activity, chondrocyte differentiation, extracellular matrix formation, and bone mineralization. The present article summarizes a proposed experimental assessment of morphofunctional changes in the long bones of 14-day-old offspring born to mothers exposed to prenatal stress. The study framework is based on the supplied dissertation annotation and integrates histological examination, morphometry, bone mineral density assessment, and osteogenic/resorptive molecular markers. Femur and humerus are considered target bones. Particular attention is given to epiphyseal plate thickness, proliferative and hypertrophic zones, trabecular architecture, cortical thickness, bone mineral density, osteocalcin, RANKL, OPG, and type I collagen. The expected pattern is a reduction in growth-plate organization, trabecular thickness, cortical thickness and mineral density, together with changes in markers reflecting reduced osteogenesis and increased bone resorption. These findings may help clarify the morphological substrate of developmental programming associated with prenatal stress.