Early maternal deprivation induces alterations in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the developing rat hippocampus

Hiromi Kuma, Kagawa University
Takanori Miki, Kagawa University
Yoshiki Matsumoto, Kagawa University
He Gu, Kagawa University
Hong-Peng Li, Kagawa University
Takashi Kusaka, Kagawa University
Irawan Satriotomo, Kagawa University
Hanayo Okamoto, Kagawa University
Toshifumi Yokoyama, Kagawa University
Kuldip Bedi, University of Queensland
Shoju Onishi, Takamatsu Junior College
Hiroshi Suwaki, Kagawa University
Yoshiki Takeuchi, Kagawa University

Abstract

The effects of maternal deprivation (MD) during early postnatal life on the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level were investigated in the present study. Wistar rats were assigned to either maternal deprivation or mother-reared control (MRC) groups. MD manipulation was achieved by separating rat pups from their mothers for 3 h a day during postnatal days (PND) 10–15. At 16, 20, 30, and 60 days of age, the level of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampal formation of each group was determined using real-time PCR analysis. Early postnatal maternal deprivation of rat pups resulted in a significant increase in body weight at 60 days of age. The expression of BDNF mRNA in the hippocampus was significantly decreased at 16 days of age, and increased at 30 and 60 days of age. These data indicate that even a brief period of maternal deprivation during early postnatal life can affect hippocampal BDNF expression.