title: Behavioral and molecular effects of prenatal continuous light exposure in the adult rat.
abstract: Disruption of the maternal environment during pregnancy leads to behavioral changes and diseases in the adult offspring. To explore the influence of prenatal continuous light exposure (PCLE) on the adult offspring, we exposed pregnant Wistar rats to constant light during late gestation. Adult PCLE offspring showed an anxiety-like behavior and impairment of short-term memory in different tests. Measurements in the whole brain homogenates from newborn and adult offspring indicated decreased melatonin and serotonin levels and increased reactive oxygen species level in PCLE offspring. Further, we determined melatonin-, serotonin-, oxidative stress-, apoptosis-, and circadian system-related genes expression in different brain areas of adult offspring. The serotonin reuptaker Slc6a4 displayed a decreased expression in the prefrontal cortex of PCLE group. The circadian rhythm-related gene Rora was upregulated in the amygdala of PCLE offspring. Our results point to adverse behavioral effects of PCLE on adult offspring, involving serotonin and melatonin signaling dysregulation, increased chronic oxidative stress, and altered gene expression.
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Suzana Elena
authors: SE
authors: Voiculescu
authors: Molecular Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. Electronic address: Diana_leduc@eva.mpg.de.
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Le Duc
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Adrian Eugen
authors: AE
authors: Roșca
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Vlad
authors: V
authors: Zeca
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Diana Maria
authors: DM
authors: Chiţimuș
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Andreea Letiţia
authors: AL
authors: Arsene
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Cristina Manuela
authors: CM
authors: Drăgoi
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Alina Crenguţa
authors: AC
authors: Nicolae
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Zăgrean
authors: Molecular Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors: Torsten
authors: T
authors: Schöneberg
authors: Division of Physiology and Fundamental Neuroscience, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. Electronic address: azagrean@umf.ro.
authors: Ana-Maria
authors: AM
authors: Zăgrean
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008550:Melatonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000187:drug effects; D057094:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
chemical_list: D057094:Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1; C000598704:Roralpha protein, rat; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; C493232:Slc6a4 protein, rat; D012701:Serotonin; D008550:Melatonin
keywords: Anxiety; Circadian rhythm; Melatonin; Memory; Prenatal continuous light exposure; Serotonin