Effects of neonatal gonadal steroids on adult CA3 pyramidal neuron dendritic morphology and spatial memory in rats.
The hippocampus is implicated in spatial cognition, which is sexually dimorphic and developmentally sensitive to gonadal steroids. Previously we have shown a sex difference in CA3 pyramidal cell layer volume and neuronal soma size that was reversible with neonatal castration in males or prenatal treatment of females with either testosterone propionate (TP) or a nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone propionate, but not estradiol benzoate, all of which correlated with adult water maze navigation. The present study further investigates developmental androgen sensitivity of CA3 pyramidal neurons by measuring dendritic morphology and its relation to adult spatial ability. Female rats were injected with TP on postnatal day (P) 3 and P5 or ovariectomized (OVX) on P2, and male rats were castrated on P2, with or without testosterone replacement (Cas+T). Sham surgery controls were also included. Animals were tested on a water maze in adulthood, sacrificed, and CA3 pyramidal neurons were Golgi-stained and reconstructed in three dimensions using a computer-interfaced morphometry system. High-androgen groups (control males, Cas+T, TP females) performed better in spatial navigation and exhibited CA3 neurons with longer dendrites, a larger number of dendritic branches, and volumes of influence compared to low-androgen groups (control females, castrated males, OVX). Collectively, these findings indicate that the critical time period for organizational effects of androgens on the CA3 pyramidal neurons includes both prenatal and postnatal life, during which time androgens regulate developmental events such as somal growth and neuronal differentiation, all of which significantly contribute to establishing the sex difference in adult spatial navigation.
Isgor
Ceylan
C
Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Michigan, 205 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0720, USA. isgor@umich.edu
Sengelaub
Dale R
DR
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones