Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction on Brain Development in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Strnad Frank A., Brown Ashley S., Wieben Matthew, Cortes-Sanchez Emilio, Williams Megan E., Fung Camille M.
Primary Institution: University of Utah School of Medicine
Hypothesis
The DG neuronal progenitors generated prematurely in embryogenesis will develop an abnormal dendritic morphology in postnatal life that is modulated partly by microglia and their inflammatory environment.
Conclusion
Intrauterine growth restriction leads to abnormal dendritic morphology in hippocampal neurons and alters microglial characteristics, which may contribute to learning and memory deficits.
Supporting Evidence
- IUGR preserved the principal dendrite lengths but decreased the dendritic branching and volume of DG neurons.
- IUGR augmented DG microglial number and cell size.
- IUGR altered the hippocampal cytokine/chemokine profile in a sex-specific manner.
- Microglia appear to modulate neuronal morphology by interacting with dendrites.
Takeaway
Mice born with growth restrictions in the womb have brain cells that don't grow properly, which can make it hard for them to learn and remember things later.
Methodology
The study used a mouse model to examine the morphology of hippocampal neurons and microglia after inducing intrauterine growth restriction, employing immunofluorescent histochemistry and cytokine assays.
Limitations
The study is mainly descriptive and does not establish causation between microglial interactions and neuronal morphology.
Participant Demographics
C57BL/6J mice were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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