Perinatal malnutrition stimulates motivation through reward and enhances drd(1a) receptor expression in the ventral striatum of adult mice.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of protein perinatal malnutrition on the function of dopamine DRD1 and DRD2 receptors in regards to motivation and food consumption in adult mice. The study also analyzed the effect of protein perinatal malnutrition on the gene expression of these receptors in the ventral striatum.


METHODS
Wistar lineage mice were divided into two groups according to maternal diet: control (17% casein), n=30 and low protein (8% casein), n=30. Between 30 and 120days of life, the following factors were measured: body weight; the effect of dopamine D1 and D2 agonists on the ingestion of palatable food; the motivational aspect under the action of the D1 (SKF 38393) and D2 Quinpirole dopaminergic agonists; and the gene expression of DRD1 and DRD2 receptors in the ventral striatum.


RESULTS
The body weights of the malnourished animals remained significantly lower than those of the control group from 30 to 120days of life. Malnourished animals ingested a greater quantity of palatable food. There was a decrease in palatable diet consumption in both the control and malnourished groups after the application of D1 and D2 agonists; however, the anorexic effect of the D1 agonist was understated in malnourished animals. Perinatal malnutrition increases the motivational behavior of the animal when food reward is used. There was an increase in gene expression of the DRD1a receptor in the ventral striatum of malnourished animals, and there were no significant changes concerning the DRD2 receptor.


CONCLUSIONS
Perinatal protein malnutrition stimulates hedonic control of eating behavior by promoting increased intake of palatable foods, possibly due to increased expression of dopamine receptor DRD1a in the ventral striatum.
PPG - Neuropsychiatry and Behaviour Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Paula Honório
PH
de Melo Martimiano
PPG - Pathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Gilvanildo Roberto
GR
da Silva
PPG - Pathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Vanessa Fernandes da Silva Almeida
VF
Coimbra
Center for Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitoria de Santo Antao, PE, Brazil.
Rhowena Jane Barbosa
RJ
Matos
Anatomy Department, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Bruno Fernando Pereira
BF
de Souza
PPG - Neuropsychiatry and Behaviour Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Amanda Alves Marcelino
AA
da Silva
PPG - Neuropsychiatry and Behaviour Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Diogo D'Paula Cunha Brasileiro
DD
de Melo
PPG - Neuropsychiatry and Behaviour Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil; PPG - Nutrition, Health Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil; Anatomy Department, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Sandra Lopes
SL
de Souza
PPG - Pathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil; Anatomy Department, Biological Sciences Centre, Federal University of Pernambuco, Prof° Moraes Rego Avenue, Recife, PE, Brazil. Electronic address: manuelaflf@uol.com.
Manuela Figueiroa Lyra
MF
de Freitas
D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000378:metabolism*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012201:Reward
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D017447:Receptors, Dopamine D1; C098593:dopamine D1A receptor
DRD1 receptor; DRD2 receptor; Food intake; Motivation; Perinatal malnutrition; Rat