RESUMO
The hypothesis that adverse experience alters the balance of neurotransmitters in the amygdala rendering it hyperresponsive to stress was examined in the present study. Since astrocytes regulate the brain's neurochemical milieu by uptaking neurotransmitters, we have examined these cells in the amygdala of prenatally stressed rats, a model of pathological anxiety. Here we examined morphometric changes on the cell bodies of astrocytes in the amygdala induced by prenatal stress and restraint stress. For this purpose, rats were classified into 4 groups; control group (CON), only restraint stressed (starting on P90 for 3 days) group (CONR), prenatally stressed group (PNS), and prenatally and restraint (on P90 for 3 days) stressed group (PNSR). Astrocytes stained with GFAP immunohistochemistry were counter stained with methylene blue/azure II and were examined using the Neurolucida. The present study showed that prenatal and restraint stress caused the significant increase in the total number and length of the amygdaloid astrocytic processes. In conclusion, astrocytes show structural indices of activation with stress.