Development of the cholinergic system in control and intra-uterine growth retarded rat brain.
The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and muscarinic receptors was studied in control rats and in rats growth-retarded in utero because of reduction of the blood supply 5 days before birth. The different markers of the cholinergic system were estimated at P (postnatal day) 6, 9, 12, 15, 22 and 60 in cerebellum, hypothalamus, septum, striatum and CA1, CA3 and fascia dentata of the hippocampus. In control rats, there was a transient increase in ChAT activity in the septum during the second week of postnatal development. In the intrauterine growth retarded rats there was a marked delay in this developmental rise in CA1, CA3 at P6 and P9 and in the fascia dentata at P14 respectively. This delayed rise enzyme activity was associated with a significant reduction of muscarinic binding sites [( 3H]QNB) in the hippocampus. AChE staining showed a similar development in both groups. Therefore, the undernutrition produced by a reduction of the blood supply 5 days before birth is associated with a delayed maturation of cholinergic functions.
Represa
A
A
INSERM U29, Maternité de Port-Royal, Paris, France.
Chanez
C
C
Flexor
M A
MA
Ben-Ari
Y
Y
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D005865:Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism
D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase