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Prenatal protein malnutrition affects exploratory behavior of female rats in the elevated plus-maze test
S S Almeida1, J Tonkiss, J R Galler
1Laboratório de Nutriçoãe Comportamento, FFCLRP e Núcleo de Neurociências e Comportamento, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brasil.
Insights
Prenatal protein deficiency in rats led to increased exploration of the elevated plus-maze, suggesting reduced anxiety or higher impulsivity. Malnourished animals showed altered behaviors indicative of these changes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Prenatal nutrition significantly impacts offspring neurodevelopment and behavior.
- Protein deficiency during gestation is a critical factor affecting brain development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term behavioral effects of prenatal protein deficiency.
- To assess anxiety-like behaviors and exploration in adult female rats exposed to low-protein diets in utero.
Main Methods:
- Female rats received either a control (25% protein) or low-protein (6% protein) diet during pregnancy.
- Offspring were fostered, weaned, and behaviorally tested at 70 days of age using the elevated plus-maze.
- Exploratory behaviors, including open arm entries and time spent, were recorded over six daily 5-min sessions.
Main Results:
- Prenatal malnutrition significantly affected six behavioral variables, including open arm entries, time in open arms, and latency to enter open arms.
- A significant diet-by-session interaction was observed for attempts to enter open arms and head-dips.
- Malnourished rats exhibited increased exploration of the open arms compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal protein deficiency leads to altered exploratory behavior in adult female rats.
- These behavioral changes suggest reduced anxiety and/or increased impulsivity in prenatally malnourished individuals.
- The findings highlight the lasting impact of early-life nutrition on brain function and behavior.
Abstract:
To study the effects of prenatal protein deficiency in the exploration of the elevated plus-maze, an ethological procedure was used. Female rats were provided with 25% (control) or with 6% (low-protein) casein diets before and during pregnancy. After birth eight pups in each litter (six males and two females) were fostered to a control mother. After weaning (21 days of age) all animals received a lab chow diet until behavioral testing began at 70 days of age. Individual prenatally malnourished (n = 12) and well-nourished (n = 12) females were placed at the center of the elevated plus-maze and allowed to explore for a 5-min session. One session was given per day for 6 consecutive days. The following variables were recorded: percentage of open arm entries; percentage of time spent in open arms; total arm entries; time in the center platform; latency to first open arm entry; number of attempts to enter an open arm; number of rearings; number of head-dips. The results showed a significant effect of malnutrition on six behaviors (percent open arm entries, percent time spent in open arms, attempts to enter open arms, rearings, head-dips, and latency to first open arm entry) and a significant diet by session interaction on two behaviors (attempts to enter open arms and head-dips). These results indicate increased exploration of the open arms in prenatally malnourished as compared with well-nourished control rats, suggestive of lower anxiety and/or a higher impulsiveness in these animals.