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Marginal Zinc Deficiency during Gestation and Lactation in Rats Affects Oligodendrogenesis, Motor Performance, and
Xiuzhen Liu1, Ana M Adamo2, Patricia I Oteiza1
1Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, United States; Department of Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Davis, CA, United States.
The Journal of Nutrition
|August 30, 2023
Summary
Maternal marginal zinc deficiency in rats impairs oligodendrocyte development, leading to long-term deficits in myelination and motor function in offspring. This highlights the critical role of early nutrition for central nervous system development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Oligodendrocytes are crucial for myelin production in the central nervous system (CNS), essential for proper nerve signal conduction.
- Hypomyelination can impair motor performance and behavior in adults.
- Gestational marginal zinc deficiency in rats is known to reduce neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation in offspring brains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of marginal zinc deficiency during early development on oligodendrogenesis in rat offspring's CNS.
- To determine if maternal zinc deficiency affects oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and myelination.
Main Methods:
- Rat dams were fed either an adequate or a marginal zinc diet from gestation through postnatal day 20.
- Oligodendrogenesis was assessed at multiple postnatal time points (P2, P5, P10, P20, P60) by measuring OPC markers and myelin proteins.
- Motor performance and behavior were evaluated using grip strength, rotarod, elevated T-maze, and open-field tests.
Main Results:
- Marginal zinc deficiency significantly reduced the expression of proteins regulating OPC proliferation and OPC markers.
- Myelin protein levels and myelin content were lower in zinc-deficient offspring, persisting into young adulthood.
- Impaired motor performance and behavioral deficits were observed in zinc-deficient offspring at P60.
Conclusions:
- Maternal and early postnatal marginal zinc deficiency adversely affects oligodendrogenesis.
- These effects result in long-lasting deficits in myelination and motor function in young adult offspring.
- Adequate zinc intake during early development is critical for normal CNS myelination and function.
