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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Neonatal handling reduces the number of cells in the medial preoptic area of female rats

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Author(s):
Camozzato, Tatiane S. C. [1, 2] ; Winkelmann-Duarte, Elisa C. [1, 3] ; Padilha, Camila B. [1] ; Miguel, Sandro P. R. [1] ; Bonzanini, Laisa [1] ; Anselmo-Franci, Janete A. [4] ; Fernandes, Marilda C. [5] ; Lucion, Aldo B. [1]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Sul, Inst Ciencias Basicas Saude, Dept Fisiol, BR-90050170 Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
[2] Ctr Fed Educ Tecnol Santa Catarina, Dept Saude & Serv, Florianopolis, SC - Brazil
[3] Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Ciencias Morfol, Ctr Univ Trindade, Florianopolis, SC - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Odontol Ribeirao Preto, Dept Morfol Estomatol & Fisiol, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Ciencias Med Porto Alegre, Lab Patol, Porto Alegre, RS - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Brain Research; v. 1247, p. 92-99, Jan. 2009.
Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
Web of Science Citations: 14
Abstract

Early-life events may induce alterations in neuronal function in adulthood. A crucial aspect in studying long-lasting effects induced by environmental interventions imposed to the animal several weeks before is finding a stable change that could be causally related to the phenotype observed in adulthood. In order to explain an adult trait, it seems necessary to look back to early life and establish a temporal line between events. The neonatal handling procedure is an experimental tool to analyze the long-lasting impact of early-life events. Aside from the neuroendocrine response to stress, neonatal handling also alters the functionality of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis. Reductions in ovulation and surge of the luteinizing hormone (LH) on the proestrous day were shown in female rats. Considering the importance of the medial preoptic area (MPA) for the control of ovulation, the present study aimed to verify the effects of neonatal handling on the numerical density and cell size in the MPA in 11-day-old and 90-day-old female rats. Cellular proliferation was also assessed using BrdU (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine) in 11-day-old pups. Results showed that neonatal handling induces a stable reduction in the number of cells and in the size of the cell soma, which were lower in handled females than in nonhandled ones at both ages. Cellular proliferation in the MPA was also reduced 24 h after the last manipulation. The repeated mother-infant disruption imposed by the handling procedure "lesioned" the MPA. The dysfunction in the ovulation mechanisms induced by the handling procedure could be related to that neuronal loss. The study also illustrates the impact of an environmental intervention on the development of the brain. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 04/09638-9 - Neuroendocrine regulation and effects of stress on female reproduction
Grantee:Janete Aparecida Anselmo Franci
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants