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Influence of intrauterine malnutrition on brain development: alteration of myelination
Insights
Intrauterine growth retardation impacts brain development, particularly reducing myelin quantity postnatally. Despite moderate impairment, myelin composition remains largely normal after birth.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects fetal development, with varying impacts across organs.
- The brain's response to IUGR, especially concerning long-term maturation and myelination, requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of intrauterine undernutrition on brain maturation and myelination.
- To assess the impact of IUGR on myelin quantity and composition during postnatal development.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of brain development in IUGR versus control subjects.
- Quantification of myelin content and analysis of lipid composition at various postnatal ages.
Main Results:
- Forebrain weight and total lipids are reduced in IUGR brains.
- Myelin quantity shows significant reduction (27-6%) at 15-60 days postpartum.
- Myelin composition (density, lipid amount, fatty acid pattern) remains largely normal during maturation.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal growth retardation moderately and irreversibly impairs brain maturation.
- Postnatal myelination is affected by intrauterine undernutrition, even with a normal postnatal diet.
- While myelin quantity is reduced, its fundamental composition is preserved during maturation in IUGR subjects.
Abstract:
As compared to other organs, in intrauterine growth retardation brain is less affected; however, forebrain weight and total lipids are reduced. Myelin quantity is reduced by 27, 17, 9 and 6% at 15, 18, 30 and 60 days after birth, respectively. Thus, intrauterine undernutrition followed by normal diet after birth affects myelination, a postnatal event. Prenatal growth retardation moderately but irreversibly impairs brain maturation, whereas the composition of myelin during maturation is close to normal (when density profile, lipid amount and the fatty acid pattern are considered).