Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA in pyramidal neurons of prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups

ABSTRACT

Protein malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries affecting mainly newborns and children during the most critical stage of their brain development. Protein deficiency can alter brain development causing structural and functional deficits. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA of pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups [Control and undernourished], ten dams each. All dams were fed 20% protein diet till 14th gestational day, and then undernourished group was fed 6% protein diet. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The selected samples was fixed in Bouin's fixative, then processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of 6 microm thicknesses were prepared for the methyl green-pyronin stain for DNA and RNA. Sections [median sagittal] 10 microm thickness in prefrontal cortex were prepared and stained with Silver stain. Silver stained sections were used for measurements of apical dendritic length of neuron in all layers of prefrontal cortex at x 400 magnification. Methyl green-pyronin stain for was used for measurements of optical density for RNA at x 400 magnification by using image pro-plus program. The apical dendritic length in undernourished was significantly less in all layers compared to control. Cytoplasmic RNA was significantly less in the cells in experimental group in all cortical layers compared to control; except layer V, was more in undernourished group than control. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased apical dendritic length in all prefrontal cortical layers and reflected on the amount of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA which is also decreased