Foetal Growth Restriction Effects on Grey and White Matter in the Prefrontal Cortex and Basal Ganglia of Postnatal Day 10 Piglets

Bhuvaneswari Harishankar ¹, Kirat K Chand ¹, Paul B Colditz ^1,2

⁰UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia.

Cells +

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November 26, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Foetal growth restriction (FGR) in piglets leads to brain damage, including reduced neurons and impaired white matter development. This neuroinflammation and cell death may contribute to long-term developmental issues.

Area Of Science

Neuroscience
Developmental Biology
Perinatal Medicine

Background

Foetal growth restriction (FGR) is linked to placental insufficiency, increasing perinatal risks.
The developing brain is particularly susceptible to FGR, potentially causing lasting neurodevelopmental deficits.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the neuropathological consequences of FGR in the piglet brain up to postnatal day 10.
To assess grey and white matter integrity, neuronal survival, and glial activation in FGR piglets.

Main Methods

Utilized a piglet model of spontaneous FGR and normally grown (NG) littermates.
Assessed neuropathology in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and basal ganglia (BG) at postnatal day 10.
Quantified neuronal markers (NeuN), structural integrity (MAP2), apoptosis (Casp-3, -9), myelination, and glial activation (Iba-1, GFAP).

Main Results

FGR piglets exhibited decreased neuronal counts and structural integrity in the PFC and BG.
Increased apoptosis was observed in neuronal and glial cells within the FGR brain.
Hypomyelination and heightened microglial and astrocyte activation were evident in both grey and white matter of FGR piglets.

Conclusions

FGR in piglets results in persistent grey and white matter impairments, characterized by increased apoptosis and glial activation in key brain regions.
These neuropathological changes suggest a potential mechanism for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in FGR.
The findings underscore the need for therapeutic strategies to support brain repair in infants affected by FGR.

Keywords:

brain foetal growth restriction glia neuropathology newborn