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PW01-246 - Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Decreases The Number of Serotonin-immunoreactive (5-ht-ir) Cells In The Dorsal Raphe In Ovariectomized Adult Female Rats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2020

J. Sliwowska ,
E. Song ,
L. Ellis  and
J. Weinberg
J. Sliwowska
Affiliation:
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
E. Song
Affiliation:
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
L. Ellis
Affiliation:
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
J. Weinberg
Affiliation:
Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Abstract

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Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) produces physiological and behavioural abnormalities that are consistent with altered serotonin (5-HT) function in male rats. Whether alterations in the 5-HT system persist into adulthood and are present in females remains unknown.

Objectives

We investigated:

  1. 1) the effects of PAE on the number of 5-HT neurons in the brainstem in female adult rats;

  2. 2) the potential influence of ovarian sex steroids, estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) on this population of 5-HT neurons.

Methods

Female offspring from prenatal ethanol (PAE), pair-fed (PF) and ad lib-fed control (C) dams were studied in adulthood. Females were assigned to the following groups: 1) ovariectomized (OVX); 2) ovariectomized with estradiol replacement (OVX+E2; mean plasma concentration: 64 pg/ml); 3) ovariectomized and replaced with estradiol (as above) and progesterone (OVX+E2+P4; mean plasma concentration for P4:12 ng/ml); 4) Sham surgery (SHAM). Immunocytochemistry for 5-HT was performed.

Results

PAE decreased the number of 5-HT-ir neurons in the dorsal raphe (DR) in OVX females. There was no effect of PAE the number of DR 5HT-ir neurons in OVX+E2 group, suggesting a possible neuroprotective role of estradiol in PAE animals. Treatment with both progesterone and estradiol compared to estradiol alone caused a further decrease in number of DR 5-HT-ir neurons in PAE but not C or PF animals.

Conclusion

These results provide evidence of the enduring effects of PAE on the serotonergic system, and suggest a role for the ovarian sex steroids in mediating these effects.

Funding

IMPART (CIHR) to JHS, NIH/NIAAA AA007789 and HELP to JW.

Type
Substance related disorders
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 25 , Issue S1: 18th European Congress of Psychiatry. February 27, March 2, 2010 - Munich, Germany , 2010 , 25-E1653
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2009
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