Maternal glucocorticoid hormone influences nerve growth factor expression in the developing rat brain

Citation
S. Scaccianoce et al., Maternal glucocorticoid hormone influences nerve growth factor expression in the developing rat brain, NEUROREPORT, 12(13), 2001, pp. 2881-2884
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Neurosciences & Behavoir
Journal title
NEUROREPORT
ISSN journal
09594965 → ACNP
Volume
12
Issue
13
Year of publication
2001
Pages
2881 - 2884
Database
ISI
SICI code
0959-4965(20010917)12:13<2881:MGHING>2.0.ZU;2-A
Abstract
Rat pups nursed from birth by mothers with increased plasma corticosterone show long-lasting biochemical and behavioral modifications. Here we have in vestigated nerve growth factor (NGF) concentrations in the basal forebrain, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of both male and female offspring at 11 days of age. Maternal hypercorticosteronemia was achieved by giving cortico sterone-enriched water (200 mug/ml) from delivery. There was a significant increase of NGF in the basal forebrain of both sexes and no changes in the prefrontal cortex. In the hippocampus, an increase in NGF was found in male s. These results indicate that a moderate increase of corticosterone in the lactating mother modulates NGF in the developing rat. We propose that thes e effects contribute directly to the long-lasting behavioral and biochemica l modifications in pups nursed by hypercorticosteronemic mothers. NeuroRepo rt 12:2881-2884 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.