Sericin Administration During Gestation Improves Reflexive Motor Behaviour and Serum Growth Hormone and IGF Levels in Mice Offspring

This study investigated the effect of sericin consumption during gestation on the neurodevelopmental reflexes, motor behaviour and biochemical profiles of mice offspring. Forty pregnant NMRI mice were randomly assigned into four groups: a control group and three experimental groups that received sericin (112.5, 225 and 450 mg/kg) via oral administration on Days 5, 8, 11, 14 and 17 of gestation. Then, neurodevelopmental reflex tests included ambulation, hindlimb foot angle, hindlimb suspension, surface righting, front-limb suspension, grip strength and negative geotaxis were assessed. Additionally, blood samples were collected to evaluate biochemical parameters, including serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) levels. The findings revealed that prenatal sericin exposure improved ambulation scores, reduced hindlimb foot angle and increased hindlimb suspension scores (p < 0.05). Sericin administration led to an increase in grip strength and front-limb suspension scores (p < 0.05). Furthermore, sericin administration decreased serum and brain MDA levels while increasing serum and brain SOD, GPx and TAC levels (p < 0.05). Sericin exposure also increased serum GH and IGF levels (p < 0.05). The results indicated that maternal sericin consumption during gestation had a positive impact on offspring's motor skills and antioxidant status.