Neurofilament formation and synaptic activity are delayed in the myenteric neurons of the rat fetus with gastroschisis.
Gastroschisis is a malformation characterized by prenatal evisceration of the midgut into the amniotic cavity. Because of the harmful effects of the amniotic fluid, the intestinal loops appear matted, thickened, and covered by a peel. At birth, the newborn presents altered intestinal motility. In a previous publication, we reported a delay in the myenteric ganglia organization and neuronal maturity in a rat model of gastroschisis. In the present study, the neurofilament formation and synaptic activity were immunohistochemically investigated in the myenteric neurons of this animal model. The expression of low, medium and high molecular weight neurofilament proteins and of a protein of the synaptic vesicles, the synaptophysin, were similar to those found at earlier embryonic ages. These findings demonstrate delayed cytoskeletal organization and reduced synaptic activity in the myenteric neurons in the rat model of gastroschisis.
Vannucchi
Maria Giuliana
MG
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Midrio
Paola
P
Zardo
Claudio
C
Faussone-Pellegrini
Maria Simonetta
MS
D000818:Animals; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009197:Myenteric Plexus / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis
D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D016708:Synaptophysin