Androgen Aggravates Chorioamnionitis-Induced White Matter Brain Injury and Neurobehavioral Impairments in Males.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization leads to placental infection and inflammation, known as chorioamnionitis (CA). Fetal exposure to CA is linked to elevated risks of neurobehavioral impairments in offspring, including autism spectrum disorder, which is more prominent in males than females. In our preclinical model of GBS-induced CA, males exhibited heightened placental inflammation compared to females, correlating with more severe subsequent neurobehavioral impairments. We hypothesize that androgens upregulate the placental immune response in male fetuses, potentially contributing to GBS-induced autistic-like traits in male offspring. Our previous findings demonstrated that there were reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration in fluta

SUBMITTER: Vancolen S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12088651 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature