Understanding the Causal Impact of Elevated Maternal Stress During Pregnancy: A Systematic Literature Review of Guinea Pig Models

Increased maternal stress during pregnancy has been linked to numerous adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth and impaired fetal development. While clinical studies have established strong associations between maternal stress and adverse pregnancy outcomes, understanding the biological mechanisms is crucial for developing effective preventive intervention. Rodent models have provided valuable insights, however physiological differences from humans limit translational relevance. This systematic review evaluated and synthesized experimental models of increased maternal stress during pregnancy in guinea pigs. Guinea pigs share key pregnancy characteristics with humans, including relevant placental structure, maternal hormonal recognition of pregnancy and precocial offspring development. We identified 43 studies using various experimental approaches categorized into three main types: behavioral models, drug/substance exposure models, and physiological challenge models. These studies demonstrated significant fetal and offspring effects, particularly sex-specific neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, maternal physiological adaptations were often superficially characterized, focusing primarily on weight gain and occasional stress hormone measurements. Most studies began interventions during established pregnancy, potentially missing critical pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy periods. Overall, this review highlights the need for future studies to consider pre-conception interventions to better model human conditions and more comprehensively examine maternal adaptations.