[Changes in the cerebral cortex in the progeny of DOCA-dependent females]

Methods of light microscopy and morphometrical analysis were used for studying semithin sections of the antero-parietal portions of the cortex of neonatal rats from mothers treated by desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) during the last 7 (II group) of last 14 days (III group) of gestation. Animals of the III group were given greater doses of DOCA. Experimental neonatal rats had greater absolute and relative masses of the cerebrum and the thicker cortex: in the II group at the expense of enlargement of neurons, greater amount of glioblasts and the volume of neuropile; in the III group--at the expense of still greater neuron sizes, enlargement of glioblasts and their greater number, as well as the growth of the neuropile volume. In the neocortex of the II group of animals processes of proliferation of glioblasts were more pronounced, greater doses and amount of actions of DOCA (III group) being followed by processes of reinforced differentiation of nerve and glial cells. Experimental animals were found to have greater amount of microgliocytes, hypertrophy of endotheliocyte and pericyte nuclei. Symptoms of blood stagnation and perivascular edema were very rarely noted in neonatal rats of the III group.