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Behavioral and Brain Functions
Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Sex differences in associations between maternal deprivation and alterations in hippocampal calcium-binding proteins and cognitive functions in rats

Authors: Hongyu Xu, Yuqin Ye, Yelu Hao, Fei Shi, Zhiqiang Yan, Guohao Yuan, Yuefan Yang, Zhou Fei, Xiaosheng He

Published in: Behavioral and Brain Functions | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background and objective

Adverse early-life experiences have been suggested as one of the key contributors to neurodevelopmental disorders, such that these experiences influence brain development, cognitive ability and mental health. Previous studies indicated that hippocampal levels of the calcium-binding proteins calretinin (CALR) and calbindin-D28k (CALB) changed in response to maternal deprivation (MD), a model for adverse early-life experiences. We investigated the effects of MD on hippocampal CALR and CALB protein levels and cognitive behaviors, and explored whether these effects were sex-related.

Methods

From postnatal day 2 (PND-2) to PND-14, rat pups in the MD group were separated from their mothers for 3 h/day for comparison with pups raised normally (control). To determine hippocampal CALR and CALB levels, fluorescent immunostaining of hippocampal sections and Western blot analysis of hippocampal tissues were employed at various timepoints (PND-21, -25, -30, -35 and -40). Behavioral and cognitive changes were determined by open field test (PND-21) and Morris water maze (PND-25).

Results

Western blot analysis showed changes in the hippocampal CALR and CALB levels in both male and female MD groups, compared with controls. The open field test showed reduced exploration only in male MD groups but not female MD groups. The Morris water maze tests indicated that MD caused spatial memory impairment both in male and female rats, but there was a sex difference in CALR and CALB levels.

Conclusions

Male rats are relatively more vulnerable to MD stress than female rats, but both male and female rats demonstrate spatial learning impairment after exposure to MD stress. Sex difference in CALR and CALB levels may reveal the different mechanisms behind the behavioral observations.
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Metadata
Title
Sex differences in associations between maternal deprivation and alterations in hippocampal calcium-binding proteins and cognitive functions in rats
Authors
Hongyu Xu
Yuqin Ye
Yelu Hao
Fei Shi
Zhiqiang Yan
Guohao Yuan
Yuefan Yang
Zhou Fei
Xiaosheng He
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Behavioral and Brain Functions / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1744-9081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12993-018-0142-y

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