Early prenatal critical period for chorda tympani nerve terminal field development

In order to determine whether the developing central gustatory system responds to dietary manipulation during restricted developmental periods, terminal fields of the chorda tympani nerve within the nucleus of the solitary tract were investigated via anterograde transport of horseradish peroxidase in control rats and in rats in which a low sodium diet was systematically fed during specific periods of development. Rats fed a low sodium diet (0.03% NaCl) from embryonic day 3 (E3) to day E12 and then fed a sodium replete diet to at least 60 days postnatal exhibited enlarged and irregularly shaped chorda tympani terminal fields. Specifically, the dorsal zone of the field was the smallest in controls, whereas it was the largest in restricted rats, occupying more territory within the nucleus. This alteration in the terminal field was apparent in all groups of rats fed the low-NaCl diet beginning at E3, and continuing beyond E12. In contrast, no effects of the dietary manipulation on the developing chorda tympani field was evident when it occurred from E3 to day E9, from E0 to day E9 or when it occurred at adulthood only. Therefore, only 9 days of maternal exposure to a sodium-restricted diet is required for a permanent expansion of the chorda tympani terminal field in the offspring. Moreover, a brief period from E9 to E12 must be included within the 9-day dietary restriction to yield the expanded field. Since this period is before taste receptors appear on the tongue, it is likely that nonactivity-dependent factors determine the formation of the chorda tympani terminal field during later development.