Correlation of BDNF and OXTR gene expression levels in the brain with indicators of anxiety and depressive-like behavior in rats exposed to ultrasound prenatal stress

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Abramova OV, Ushakova VM, Morozova AYu, et al. [Correlation of BDNF and OXTR gene expression levels in the brain with indicators of anxiety and depressive-like behavior in rats exposed to ultrasound prenatal stress]. Rossiiskii psikhiatricheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Psychiatry]. 2024;(4):23-35. Russian

Abstract

In a controlled experiment, in order to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic prenatal stress on the expression of BDNF and OXTR genes in the brain of Sprague Dawley rats, pregnant females were continuously exposed to ultrasound of variable frequency throughout the gestational period. Offspring of dams as adults were tested in behavioral tests: anhedonia test, Open Field test, and Elevated Plus Maze test. The level of BDNF and OXTR gene expression was assessed in brain samples of offspring from different regions (hippocampus, hypothalamus and midbrain) by real-time PCR. The offspring of rats with prenatal stress experience were characterized by an altered behavioral phenotype - enhanced anxiety and exploratory behavior. The expression of BDNF and OXTR genes was not altered, but some correlations between expression and behavior were found.

Keywords prenatal stress; ultrasound exposure; BDNF; OXTR; gene expression; rat behavior; brain

References

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