Neuropathology and functional deficits in a model of birth asphyxia in the precocial spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus).
Birth asphyxia can result in sensory impairment, learning and memory deficits without gross brain injury and severe motor deficits. We developed a model of birth asphyxia resulting in mild neurological injury and cognitive impairment using a long-gestation species with precocial fetal development. Spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) underwent caesarean-section delivery or 7.5 min of asphyxia at 37 days gestational age (term is 39 days). Brain histology was examined at 1 and 7 days of age, and behaviour was evaluated to 28 days of age. Asphyxiated offspring showed significant impairment in non-spatial memory and learning tasks, accompanied by central nervous system inflammation and increased apoptotic cell death but without the presence of large necrotic or cystic lesions.
Fetal and Neonatal Research Group, Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia.
Lisa C
LC
Hutton
Udani
U
Ratnayake
Amy
A
Shields
David W
DW
Walker
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D017628:Microglia / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D051189:Murinae; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D053148:Caspase 3