Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-18-2024

Abstract

Executive functioning is the ability to control and coordinate abilities and behaviors, but prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) negatively impacts these functions. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a crucial brain region that plays an essential role in higher level functioning such as motivation, long-term memory, and sociability. The effects of PAE have been shown to alter the fetal blood flow in utero, which results in placental insufficiency (PI). PI has negative impacts on fetal development and neurodevelopmental outcomes. There has been little research on the effects of the combination of PAE and PI. We aimed to further investigate the impact of PAE and PI on frontal cortex development. We hypothesized that the combination of PAE and PI would result in decreased dendritic complexity within the mPFC.

We utilized a well-characterized model of mild PAE in which pregnant Long-Evans rats voluntarily drank either 5% ethanol or saccharin water until embryonic day 18 (E18). On E19, an open laparotomy was performed to induce PI via a 60-minute uterine artery occlusion. The dams were closed and recovered. At E21, pups were born normally. Four experimental groups were used: sham (saccharin water without PI), PAE (5% ethanol without PI), PI (saccharin water with PI), and PAE+PI (5% ethanol with PI). Brains were extracted for Golgi-Cox staining at P35 followed by confocal microscope imaging of coronal plane sections with z-stacks obtained. 3D Sholl analysis was performed using Imaris software and statistical analysis was completed.

To date, 24 brains were extracted between P33 and P40. Each experimental group (sham, PAE, PI, PAE+PI) has 6 brains, 3 males and 3 females. Microscopy imaging has been completed and Imaris analysis is ongoing.

Imaris and statistical analysis will be completed by April 18, 2024. We expect to see differences in the dendritic complexity within this critical brain region.

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