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Early postnatal development of electrophysiological and histological properties of sensory sural nerves in male rats that were maternally deprived and artificially reared: Role of tactile stimulation
Author(s) -
Zempoalteca Rene,
Porras Mercedes G.,
MorenoPérez Suelem,
RamirezFunez Gabriela,
AguirreBenítez Elsa L.,
González del Pliego Margarita,
MariscalTovar Silvia,
MendozaGarrido Maria E.,
Hoffman Kurt Leroy,
JiménezEstrada Ismael,
Melo Angel I.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
developmental neurobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.716
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1932-846X
pISSN - 1932-8451
DOI - 10.1002/dneu.22561
Subject(s) - electrophysiology , biology , stimulation , sensory system , sensory stimulation therapy , sural nerve , axon , myelin , anatomy , sensory nerve , neuroscience , central nervous system
Early adverse experiences disrupt brain development and behavior, but little is known about how such experiences impact on the development of the peripheral nervous system. Recently, we found alterations in the electrophysiological and histological characteristics of the sensory sural (SU) nerve in maternally deprived, artificially reared (AR) adult male rats, as compared with maternally reared (MR) control rats. In the present study, our aim was to characterize the ontogeny of these alterations. Thus, male pups of four postnatal days (PND) were (1) AR group, (2) AR and received daily tactile stimulation to the body and anogenital region (AR‐Tactile group); or (3) reared by their mother (MR group). At PND 7, 14, or 21, electrophysiological properties and histological characteristics of the SU nerves were assessed. At PND 7, the electrophysiological properties and most histological parameters of the SU nerve did not differ among MR, AR, and AR‐Tactile groups. By contrast, at PND 14 and/or 21, the SU nerve of AR rats showed a lower CAP amplitude and area, and a significant reduction in myelin area and myelin thickness, which were accompanied by a reduction in axon area (day 21 only) compared to the nerves of MR rats. Tactile stimulation (AR‐Tactile group) partially prevented most of these alterations. These results suggest that sensory cues from the mother and/or littermates during the first 7–14 PND are relevant for the proper development and function of the adult SU nerve. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 78: 351–362, 2018