Behavioral and molecular effects of prenatal continuous light exposure in the adult rat

Brain Res. 2016 Nov 1:1650:51-59. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.08.031. Epub 2016 Aug 24.

Abstract

Disruption of the maternal environment during pregnancy leads to behavioral changes and diseases in the adult offspring. To explore the influence of prenatal continuous light exposure (PCLE) on the adult offspring, we exposed pregnant Wistar rats to constant light during late gestation. Adult PCLE offspring showed an anxiety-like behavior and impairment of short-term memory in different tests. Measurements in the whole brain homogenates from newborn and adult offspring indicated decreased melatonin and serotonin levels and increased reactive oxygen species level in PCLE offspring. Further, we determined melatonin-, serotonin-, oxidative stress-, apoptosis-, and circadian system-related genes expression in different brain areas of adult offspring. The serotonin reuptaker Slc6a4 displayed a decreased expression in the prefrontal cortex of PCLE group. The circadian rhythm-related gene Rora was upregulated in the amygdala of PCLE offspring. Our results point to adverse behavioral effects of PCLE on adult offspring, involving serotonin and melatonin signaling dysregulation, increased chronic oxidative stress, and altered gene expression.

Keywords: Anxiety; Circadian rhythm; Melatonin; Memory; Prenatal continuous light exposure; Serotonin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anxiety / etiology
  • Anxiety / metabolism
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Circadian Rhythm / drug effects
  • Female
  • Light
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / drug effects
  • Melatonin / metabolism
  • Melatonin / pharmacology
  • Memory, Short-Term / drug effects
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / metabolism*
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / physiopathology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins

Substances

  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1
  • Roralpha protein, rat
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, rat
  • Serotonin
  • Melatonin