A single allergic reaction during pregnancy prompts sexual-development changes in the brains of offspring that last a lifetime, new research suggests. Female rats born to mothers exposed to an allergen during pregnancy acted more characteristically ‘male’ — mounting other female rodents, for instance — and had brains and nervous systems that looked more like those seen in typical male animals.

Female rats born to mothers exposed to an allergen during pregnancy acted more characteristically «male» — mounting other female rodents, for instance — and had brains and nervous systems that looked more like those seen in typical male animals.

The male offspring also showed a tendency toward more female characteristics and behaviors, though the changes were not as significant.

«The study shows for the first time that an allergic reaction in a mother could alter the sexual development of its offspring,» said Kathryn Lenz, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of psychology at The Ohio State University. The research appears online in the journal Scientific Reports.

«This allergic response is enough to make the female brain look like a male’s brain, and that’s something that endures throughout its entire life.»

Previous research has shown that insults to the immune system, including stress, infection and malnutrition, can change brain development. This new research highlights the important role allergies could play, Lenz said.

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Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Misti Crane. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.