Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex in albino rat pups

ABSTRACT

Nutrition is probably the single greatest environmental influence both on the fetus and neonate, and plays a necessary role in the maturation and functional development of the central nervous system. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex 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. Taking undernourished diet from 14th gestational day. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The growth parameters [body weight, head length and biparietal diameter] were taken. Brain parameters [weight, width and anteroposterior diameter of cerebral cortex] were recorded. The selected samples from prefrontal cortex were prepared for toluidine blue stain. Number of neurons in each layer of prefrontal cortex was counted at x 400 magnification by using Image pro plus program. The results revealed that prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly growth parameters [body and brain weight, biparietal diameter and width of cerebral hemisphere]. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex [I and II] more than layers [III-IV]. Prenatal protein under nutrition found to decrease significantly growth parameters in newly born pups. Also, it decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex due to delay of neuronal migration to these layers