Alterations in Structure and Neurotrophic Factors of Hippocampus and Prefrontal Cortex following Perinatal Dietary Protein Deficiency in F1 and F2‐generations of Rats

Abstract

Reports have shown that neurogeneration is on the increase and has been linked to transgenerational consequences. Neurotrophic factors play a key role in development, synaptogenesis, survival of neurons as well as the process of adaptation to external influences. This study provides insight into potential consequences of persistent early life dietary protein deficiency in F1 and F2 generations of Sprague Dawley rats in brain and glial cell – derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF and GDNF), at the hippocampal and prefrontal sections of the brain. Rats in four groups were fed different rations of protein diet (PD): 21% PD, 10%PD, 5%PD and control diet, from adolescence through to gestation and lactation, next generations were weaned to the maternal diet groups. Histopathology was carried out on the hippocampal and prefrontal sections (PFC), the expression levels of BDNF and GDNF were quantified using Promega Elisa kit. Photomicrograph reveals that the 21%PD and control groups had prefrontal cortex with normal cells well placed within the neuropils, the hippocampus had clear delineation of the pyramidal layer at F1 and F2. However, the protein deficient groups (5% and 10%PD) were characterized with degenerated pyramidal cells in the pyramidal layer of hippocampus and reduction in cellular density of F1‐generation PFC followed by halo‐spaced neuropils which became prominent in F2‐generation. The PFC levels of BDNF and GDNF in F1 and F2 ‐ generations were significantly reduced in the 5% protein diet group, while Hippocampal BDNF level in F2 was significantly reduced, with no statistical differences in the GDNF levels. Alterations in activation and functions of the brain may represent reorganization and structural shift in critical sections as an important signature to how the brain attempt to compensate for the nutritional deficiency.