Effects of Maternal Deprivation on Brain Development in Rats

我们在产后10 ~ 15天（PND）内将幼鼠与母体分离3小时/天，建立了人类母体剥夺（MD）实验动物（大鼠）模型。对体重和垂体重量的影响：在PND16、20和30时，MD大鼠的体重没有显著差异，而在PND60时，与年龄匹配的对照组相比，体重较高。另一方面，垂体重量在观察的任何时间点都很低。对脑重的影响MD大鼠脑重在各观察时间点均无显著差异。皮质酮浓度分离期间，MD大鼠血液皮质酮浓度（51ng/dL）显著高于对照组（32ng/dL）。分离后降至40 ng/dL。体视分析（物理方向）MD大鼠CA1-3区锥体细胞总数、齿状回颗粒神经元和门状神经元数量与对照组比较差异无统计学意义。此外，MD大鼠的数值密度和区域体积与对照组相比无显著差异。BDNF mRNA的实时PCR分析显示，大鼠在PND16时海马中的BDNF mRNA含量较低，而在PND 30和60时，它们的BDNF mRNA含量高于年龄匹配的对照动物。

We have established the experimental animal (rat) model of maternal deprivation (MD) in human by separating pups from mothers for 3 h/day during postnatal days (PND) 10-15.Effects on body and pituitary weightsThe body weight of MD rats showed no significant difference at PND16, 20 and 30, whereas at PND60 it was high compared to age-matched control. On the other hand, pituitary weight was low at any time points of observation.Effects on brain weightThe brain weight of MD rats showed no significant difference at any time points of observation.Corticosterone concentrationDuring the separation period, blood corticosterone concentration of MD rats was significantly higher (51ng/dL) than that of controls (32ng/dL). After separation, it was declined to 40 ng/dL.Stereological analysis (physical disector)There were no significant difference in total number of pyramidal cells in CA1-3 regions, and granule and hilus neurons in the dentate gyrus of MD rats compared to controls. Additionally, numerical density and the regional volume of MD rats showed no differences compared to controls.Real-time PCR analysis of BDNF mRNAMD rats had less BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus at PND16, whereas at PND 30 and 60 they had much BDNF mRNA than age-matched control animals.