The molecular basis of improving learning function with maternal experiences of pregnancy-delivery- pup rearing

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460321
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental physiology(including physical medicine and nutritional physiology)
• Research Institution: St. Marianna University School of Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Nagatani Miyako 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (20450611)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): FUKUSHIMA Atsushi 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (10442716)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): FUNABASHI Toshiya 聖マリアンナ医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (70229102)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 妊娠 / 出産 / 子育て / 学習 / 海馬 / AMPA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Behavioral changes during postpartum period are well documented in rats. In previous study, we demonstrated that changes in sensitivity to estrogen after delivery by comparing experimental groups of primiparity rats and nulliparity controls at the same age. In this study consisting of the similar groups, five-weeks postpartum rats that resumed estrus cycle after weaning were subjected in Y-maze tests. In electrophysiological study, we used a protocol for inducing long-term potentiation using whole-cell recording to pair low-frequency synaptic stimulation with a depolarizing voltage-clamp pulse. Furthermore, the expression level of GluR 1 and 2 was analyzed in the hippocampus by western blot. Improved performance of primiparous rats was found in Y maze. The expression of GluR 2 level was increased in the hippocampus of primiparous rats. Taken together, reproductive experience could change hippocampal function leading to improve spatial learning.

Free Research Field

行動神経内分泌