Development of mitral cells and olfactory bulb layers in neonatally undernourished rats

Cell alterations in the central nervous system are consistent consequences of early undernourishment. Because little is known about the effects of neonatal udernourishment upon the main olfactory bulb (OB) in Golgi-Cox stained material, we evaluated the total OB cross-sectional area, the area of individual OB layers, and the area of type II mitral cells perikarya and their dendritic processes in undernourished Wistar rats of 7, 14, and 21 days of age. Data showed that neonatal undernourishment reduced both the OB and the individual layers areas; minimal perikarya effects and significant reductions in the number and extension of MC dendrites. Although macroneurons are formed prenatally, neonatal undernourishment at critical periods may have long-lasting effects that interfere with the functional maturity of the OB. These findings may have relevant consequences for early odor discrimination of the offspring, since olfaction is a fundamental sensorial avenue for newborn adaptive responses and maternal care.