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Lucas ME, Hemsworth LM, Butler KL, Morrison RS, Tilbrook AJ, Marchant JN, Rault JL, Galea RY, Hemsworth PH. Early human contact and housing for pigs - part 3: ability to cope with the environment. Animal 2024; 18:101166. [PMID: 38772077 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Early experiences can have long-term impacts on stress adaptability. This paper is the last of three in a series on early experiences and stress in pigs, and reports on the effects of early human contact and housing on the ability of pigs to cope with their general environment. Using a 2 × 2 factorial design, 48 litters of pigs were reared in either a farrowing crate (FC) or a loose farrowing pen (LP; PigSAFE pen) which was larger, more physically complex and allowed the sow to move freely. Piglets were provided with either routine contact from stockpeople (C), or routine contact plus regular opportunities for positive human contact (+HC) involving 5 min of scratching, patting and stroking imposed to the litter 5 days/week from 0 to 4 weeks of age. At 4 weeks of age (preweaning), C piglets that were reared in FC had considerably lower concentrations of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) than piglets from the other treatment combinations. Compared to C pigs, +HC pigs had fewer injuries at 4 weeks of age. There were no clear effects of human contact on BDNF concentrations or injuries after weaning, or on basal cortisol or immunoglobulin-A concentrations, behavioural time budgets, tear staining, growth, or piglet survival. Compared to FC piglets, LP piglets showed more play behaviour and interactions with the dam and less repetitive nosing towards pen mates during lactation. There was no evidence that early housing affected pigs' behavioural time budgets or physiology after weaning. Tear staining severity was greater in LP piglets at 4 weeks of age, but this may have been associated with the higher growth rates of LP piglets preweaning. There was no effect of lactation housing on growth after weaning. Preweaning piglet mortality was higher in the loose system. The findings on BDNF concentrations, injuries and play behaviour suggest improved welfare during the treatment period in +HC and LP piglets compared to C and FC piglets, respectively. These results together with those from the other papers in this series indicate that positive human interaction early in life promotes stress adaptability in pigs. Furthermore, while the farrowing crate environment deprives piglets of opportunities for play behaviour and sow interaction, there was no evidence that rearing in crates negatively affected pig welfare or stress resilience after weaning. Whether these findings are specific to the two housing systems studied here, or can be generalised to other housing designs, warrants further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Lucas
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - L M Hemsworth
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - K L Butler
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - R S Morrison
- Rivalea Australia Pty Ltd, Corowa, Victoria 2464, Australia
| | - A J Tilbrook
- Centre for Animal Science, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia; School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Gatton, Queensland 4343, Australia
| | - J N Marchant
- Organic Plus Trust, Alexandria, VA 22302, USA; A World of Good Initiative Inc., Dover, DE 19901, USA
| | - J-L Rault
- Institute of Animal Welfare Science, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna A-1210, Austria
| | - R Y Galea
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - P H Hemsworth
- The Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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Čechová B, Mihalčíková L, Vaculin Š, Šandera Š, Šlamberová R. Levels of BDNF and NGF in adolescent rat hippocampus neonatally exposed to methamphetamine along with environmental alterations. Physiol Res 2023; 72:S559-S571. [PMID: 38165760 PMCID: PMC10861250 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophins are proteins included in development and functioning of various processed in mammalian organisms. They are important in early development but as well as during adulthood. Brain - derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) have been previously linked with many psychiatric disorders such as depression and addiction. Since during postnatal development, brain undergoes various functional and anatomical changes, we included preweaning environment enrichment (EE), since enrichment has been linked with improved function and development of the several brain structure such as hippocampus (HP), in which we monitored these changes. On the other hand, social isolation has been linked with depression and anxiety-like behavior, therefore postweaning social isolation has been added to this model as well and animal were exposed to this condition till adolescence. We examined if all these three factors had impact on BDNF and NGF levels during three phases of adolescence - postnatal days (PDs) 28, 35 and 45. Our results show that EE did not increase BDNF levels neither in control or MA exposed animals and these results are similar for both direct and indirect exposure. On the other side, social separation after weaning did reduce BDNF levels in comparison to standard housing animals but this effect was reversed by direct MA exposure. In terms of NGF, EE environment increased its levels only in indirectly exposed controls and MA animals during late adolescence. On the other hand, social separation increased NGF levels in majority of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Čechová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Speck ML, Gomes ALA, Rojas CS, Willig JB, Herrmann AP, Pilger DA, Rates SMK. Environmental enrichment affects behavioral and pharmacological response to antidepressants in CF1 mice. Neurosci Lett 2023; 813:137432. [PMID: 37549865 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
It has been described that environmental enrichment (EE) exerts beneficial effects on cognitive and emotional performances, dendritic branching, synaptic density, neurogenesis and modulation of neurotrophic systems and neurotransmitters in rodents. However, the influence of EE on pharmacological and behavioral responses in animal models of psychiatric disorders has not been fully established. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of exposure to EE on mice behavior in the open field test (OFT) and forced swimming tests (FST), as well as the response to antidepressant drugs (fluoxetine 30 mg/kg and bupropion 30 mg/kg, p.o.). CF1 mice were exposed to an enriched housing condition at different developmental stages: from mating to postnatal day (PND) 55 (lifelong enrichment), from mating to PND21 (perinatal enrichment) and from PND21 to PND55 (post-weaning enrichment). At PND58 the male offspring were evaluated in the OFT and FST. BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus was determined through qPCR. Mice exposed to perinatal enrichment remained longer in the peripheral zone of the OFT and performed fewer grooming than mice housed under standard condition, and these effects were independent of drug treatment. Post-weaning and lifelong enrichment increased grooming behavior. Bupropion reduced grooming in all groups except in perinatal enriched. In turn, fluoxetine decreased grooming only in post-weaning enriched group. None of the enriched housing conditions altered the immobility time in the FST, which indicates that EE had no antidepressant-like effect. However, all enriched housing conditions abolished the anti-immobility effect of bupropion. None of the EE protocols affected BDNF hippocampal expression. The main conclusion is that mice behavior in the OFT is sensitive to alterations in the housing environment and depends on the developmental stage of exposure. Bupropion and fluoxetine yielded divergent responses depending on the housing condition, which suggests that EE modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lorena Speck
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Azevedo Gomes
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil
| | - Camila Schafer Rojas
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil
| | - Julia Biz Willig
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Herrmann
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Federal University of: Rio Grande do Sul. Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90035003, Brazil.
| | - Diogo André Pilger
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil.
| | - Stela Maris Kuze Rates
- Graduate Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Avenida Ipiranga, 2752, Porto Alegre, RS ZIP CODE 90610000, Brazil.
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Rubinstein MR, Burgueño AL, Quiroga S, Wald MR, Genaro AM. Current Understanding of the Roles of Gut-Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposure. Cells 2023; 12:1735. [PMID: 37443769 PMCID: PMC10340286 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'perinatal environment' refers to the period surrounding birth, which plays a crucial role in brain development. It has been suggested that dynamic communication between the neuro-immune system and gut microbiota is essential in maintaining adequate brain function. This interaction depends on the mother's status during pregnancy and/or the newborn environment. Here, we show experimental and clinical evidence that indicates that the perinatal period is a critical window in which stress-induced immune activation and altered microbiota compositions produce lasting behavioral consequences, although a clear causative relationship has not yet been established. In addition, we discuss potential early treatments for preventing the deleterious effect of perinatal stress exposure. In this sense, early environmental enrichment exposure (including exercise) and melatonin use in the perinatal period could be valuable in improving the negative consequences of early adversities. The evidence presented in this review encourages the realization of studies investigating the beneficial role of melatonin administration and environmental enrichment exposure in mitigating cognitive alteration in offspring under perinatal stress exposure. On the other hand, direct evidence of microbiota restoration as the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of this treatment has not been fully demonstrated and should be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Roxana Rubinstein
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
| | | | | | | | - Ana María Genaro
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
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Palermo Mendes J, Ribeiro Caldara F, de Castro Burbarelli MF, Valentim JK, Ferreira de Brito Mandú D, Garófallo Garcia R, Correia de Lima Almeida-Paz I, Markiy Odakura A, Lourenço da Silva MI. Performance and Welfare of Sows Exposed to Auditory Environmental Enrichment in Mixed or Collective Housing Systems. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13071226. [PMID: 37048482 PMCID: PMC10093583 DOI: 10.3390/ani13071226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The research aimed to assess the effects of auditory environmental enrichment on sows in mixed housing (caged until 35 days after insemination and then collective pens) or collective housing (caged until 72 h after insemination and then collective pens). Reproductive performance, body surface and eye temperature (ET) were evaluated as sows’ welfare indicators. A sample of 56 sows between 2nd and 6th parity was submitted to the treatments from artificial insemination to weaning. The sows were assigned in a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 factorial scheme of treatments: mixed housing—control (MH-C), collective housing—control (CH-C), mixed housing—music (MH-M) and collective housing—music (CH-M). Auditory enrichment consisted of exposing sows daily throughout gestation and lactation to 6 h of classical music divided into 2 h periods. The ET of pregnant sows in collective housing was lower than that of sows in mixed housing (33.77 °C vs. 34.91 °C). Pregnant and lactating sows exposed to auditory environmental enrichment exhibited lower ET compared to those that had no access to the stimulus (pregnant 33.36 °C vs. 34.32 °C and lactating 34.21 °C vs. 34.83 °C). No housing type effect was found on the reproductive performance parameter; however, piglets from sows submitted to auditory environmental enrichment, regardless of the type of housing during gestation, were heavier at weaning (6.32 kg vs. 5.57 kg). Collective or mixed housing does not affect sows’ reproductive performance; perhaps, auditory environmental enrichment reduced stress in the gestation and lactation phases and provided greater piglet weight gain at weaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janaina Palermo Mendes
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | | | - Jean Kaique Valentim
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Daniela Ferreira de Brito Mandú
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Ibiara Correia de Lima Almeida-Paz
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
| | - Agnes Markiy Odakura
- Animal Science Postgraduate Program, Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados 79804-970, MS, Brazil
| | - Marconi Italo Lourenço da Silva
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science (FMVZ), São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu 18610-034, SP, Brazil
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Changes in Stereotypies: Effects over Time and over Generations. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192504. [PMID: 36230246 PMCID: PMC9559266 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Herein, we propose that there should be discussion about the function and effects of stereotypies in relation to the time during which they are shown. In the first stages, stereotypies may help animals deal with challenges. However, behavior can potentially alter the brain, impairing its function due the absence of a diverse repertory, and change brain connections, neurophysiology and later neuroanatomy. The neuroanatomical changes in individuals showing stereotypies could be an effect rather than a cause of the stereotypy. As a consequence, studies showing different outcomes for animal welfare from stereotypy expression could be due to variation in a timeline of expression. Stereotypies are widely used as an animal welfare indicator, and their expression can tell us about psychological states. However, there are questions about the longer-term consequences if animals express stereotypies: do the stereotypies help in coping? During the prenatal period, stereotypic behavior expressed by the mother can change the phenotype of the offspring, especially regarding emotionality, one mechanism acting via methylation in the limbic system in the brain. Are individuals that show stereotypies for shorter or longer periods all better adjusted, and hence have better welfare, or is the later welfare of some worse than that of individuals that do not show the behavior? Abstract Stereotypies comprise a wide range of repeated and apparently functionless behaviors that develop in individuals whose neural condition or environment results in poor welfare. While stereotypies are an indicator of poor welfare at the time of occurrence, they may have various consequences. Environmental enrichment modifies causal factors and reduces the occurrence of stereotypies, providing evidence that stereotypies are an indicator of poor welfare. However, stereotypy occurrence and consequences change over time. Furthermore, there are complex direct and epigenetic effects when mother mammals that are kept in negative conditions do or do not show stereotypies. It is proposed that, when trying to deal with challenging situations, stereotypies might initially help animals to cope. After further time in the conditions, the performance of the stereotypy may impair brain function and change brain connections, neurophysiology and eventually neuroanatomy. It is possible that reported neuroanatomical changes are an effect of the stereotypy rather than a cause.
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Lippi ICDC, Caldara FR, Almeida-Paz ICDL, Morais HB, Odakura AM, Konkiewitz EC, Ferreira WS, Fraga TL, Burbarelli MFDC, Felix GA, Garcia RG, dos Santos LS. Effects of Music Therapy on Neuroplasticity, Welfare, and Performance of Piglets Exposed to Music Therapy in the Intra- and Extra-Uterine Phases. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172211. [PMID: 36077933 PMCID: PMC9454641 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Environmental enrichment using music therapy can be used to improve animal welfare. Music, as an enrichment of the environment, is presented as an easy and viable way to remove the sterility of the breeding environment and make it more interesting and attractive. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of auditory environmental enrichment in the pre- and postpartum period of sows on the behavior, performance, and neuro-plasticity of their piglets. Exposure to music in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and farrowing/lactation improved the weight of piglets at birth and weaning. Musical enrichment during pregnancy and lactation was able to cause changes in the piglets’ neuroplasticity and improve their productive performances. Abstract The rearing environment of pigs can cause a high level of stress due to the lack of stimuli and the impossibility of carrying out natural behaviors. Music therapy is a way to enrich the environment and promote stress relief. Few studies in swine using environmental enrichers focus on functional benefits, such as stress resilience, improved biological functions, or mental status. The effect of environmental enrichment on neurobiological processes is particularly poorly understood in farm animals. Thus, our study sought to elucidate the influence of music in piglets exposed to music therapy in the intrauterine and extrauterine phase on neuroplasticity, evaluating the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Behavioural responses were also evaluated using fear tests related to stress resilience. The productive performance of these piglets was analysed to relate the possible reduction in stress levels to greater productivity gains. Forty-eight sows were used at 90 days of gestation until the weaning of their piglets. In the gestation phase, the sows were divided into two treatments: control (without music therapy) and music (with music therapy). In the farrowing/lactation phase, the sows were separated into four treatments: control-control (no music in any phase); control-music (music only in farrowing/lactation); music-control (music only during pregnancy); and music-music (music in both reproductive phases). Music therapy did not cause a difference in the BDNF levels of piglets at birth. However, piglets born from sows of the music-music treatment did not show a reduction in BDNF between birth and weaning, unlike the other treatments. Exposure to music in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and farrowing/lactation improved the weight of piglets at birth and at weaning. Musical enrichment during pregnancy and lactation was able to cause changes in the piglets’ neuroplasticity and improve their productive performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Cristina de Castro Lippi
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Paulista State University, Street Prof. Dr. Walter Maurício Corrêa w/n, Botucatu 18618-687, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Ribeiro Caldara
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Ibiara Correia de Lima Almeida-Paz
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Paulista State University, Street Prof. Dr. Walter Maurício Corrêa w/n, Botucatu 18618-687, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique Biasotto Morais
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Agnês Markiy Odakura
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elisabete Castelon Konkiewitz
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Welber Sanches Ferreira
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thiago Leite Fraga
- Grande Dourados University Center, Veterinary Sciences, UNIGRAN, Street Balbina de Mattos, 2121, Jardim Universitário Dourados, Dourados 79824-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Maria Fernanda de Castro Burbarelli
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gisele Aparecida Felix
- Grande Dourados University Center, Veterinary Sciences, UNIGRAN, Street Balbina de Mattos, 2121, Jardim Universitário Dourados, Dourados 79824-900, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Garófallo Garcia
- Faculty of Agricultural Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados, Itahum Highway, km 12, Dourados 79804-970, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luan Sousa dos Santos
- Animal Science Institute, Department of Animal Nutrition and Pastures, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Highway BR 465, Km 07, w/n, Seropédica 23897-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Dandi E, Spandou E, Tata DA. Investigating the role of environmental enrichment initiated in adolescence against the detrimental effects of chronic unpredictable stress in adulthood: Sex-specific differences in behavioral and neuroendocrinological findings. Behav Processes 2022; 200:104707. [PMID: 35842198 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Environmental Enrichment (EE) improves cognitive function and enhances brain plasticity, while chronic stress increases emotionality, impairs learning and memory, and has adverse effects on brain anatomy and biochemistry. We explored the beneficial role of environmental enrichment initiated in adolescence against the negative outcomes of Chronic Unpredictable Stress (CUS) during adulthood on emotional behavior, cognitive function, as well as somatic and neuroendocrine markers in both sexes. Adolescent Wistar rats housed either in enriched or standard housing conditions for 10 weeks. On postnatal day 66, a subgroup from each housing condition was daily exposed to a 4-week stress protocol. Following stress, adult rats underwent behavioral testing to evaluate anxiety, exploration/locomotor activity, depressive-like behavior and spatial learning/memory. Upon completion of behavioral testing, animals were exposed to a 10-m stressful event to test the neuroendocrine response to acute stress. CUS decreased body weight gain and increased adrenal weight. Some stress-induced behavioral adverse effects were sex-specific since learning impairments were limited to males while depressive-like behavior to females. EE housing protected against CUS-related behavioral deficits and body weight loss. Exposure to CUS affected the neuroendocrine response of males to acute stress as revealed by the increased corticosterone levels. Our findings highlight the significant role of EE in adolescence as a protective factor against the negative effects of stress and underline the importance of inclusion of both sexes in animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Keloglan Musuroglu S, Ozturk DM, Sahin L, Cevik OS, Cevik K. Environmental enrichment as a strategy: Attenuates the anxiety and memory impairment in social isolation stress. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:499-512. [PMID: 35724417 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social isolation (SI) early in life produces behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. On the contrary, environmental enrichment (EE) offers beneficial effects on brain plasticity and development. This study was designed to examine how EE affects memory functions, anxiety level, and the expression levels of memory/anxiety-related genes such as NR2A, NR2B, BDNF, and cFos in the hippocampus of socially isolated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar albino male rats (n = 40) were separated into the five groups: Standard cage (SC), SI, EE, SI + SC, and SI + EE group. For each group, eight rats were housed, either grouped or isolated, in a standard or 3-week EE, respectively. Morris water maze test (MWMT) was used for measuring the learning and memory function. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) were used for the evaluation of anxiety behavior. Blood corticosterone level was evaluated by the ELISA method. The expression levels of genes were measured by the RT-PCR method. RESULTS Results showed that EE increased memory performance in the SI group (p < 0.05). SI caused anxiety while EE improved anxiety behavior (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in the OF test. Corticosterone levels did not change between groups. BDNF expression level was downregulated in EE and SI + SC compared with the SC group (respectively; p = 0.012; p = 0.011). NR2A, NR2B, and cFos expression levels did not change between groups significantly. CONCLUSIONS SI impaired memory performance while EE has beneficial effects on memory in socially isolated rats. EE alone was insufficient to cause alterations in the memory performance. The therapeutic effects of EE became strengthened while applied together with stress protocol. Together with improving the effectiveness of memory function, EE has the potential to decrease anxiety behavior. EE seemed to be the reason for decreasing in BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duygu Murat Ozturk
- Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Leyla Sahin
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Ozge Selin Cevik
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Kenan Cevik
- Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
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Virtuoso A, Tveden-Nyborg P, Schou-Pedersen AMV, Lykkesfeldt J, Müller HK, Elfving B, Sørensen DB. A Long-Term Energy-Rich Diet Increases Prefrontal BDNF in Sprague-Dawley Rats. Nutrients 2021; 14:nu14010126. [PMID: 35011001 PMCID: PMC8746649 DOI: 10.3390/nu14010126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Findings of the effect of high-fat feeding including “Cafeteria Diets” (CAF) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus (HIP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) in rodents are conflicting. CAF is a non-standardized, highly palatable energy-rich diet composed by everyday food items for human consumption and is known to induce metabolic syndrome and obesity in rats. However, the highly palatable nature of CAF may counteract a negative effect of chronic stress on anticipatory behavior and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, hence represent a confounding factor (e.g., when evaluating functional effects on the brain). This study investigated the effects of a chronic, restricted access to CAF on BDNF, monoamine neurotransmitters, and redox imbalance in HIP and PFC in male rats. Our results show that CAF induced BDNF and its receptor TrkB in PFC compared to the controls (p < 0.0005). No differences in monoamine neurotransmitters were detected in either PFC or HIP. CAF increased dehydroascorbic acid and decreased malondialdehyde in PFC (p < 0.05), suggesting an early redox imbalance insufficient to induce lipid peroxidation. This study supports that a chronic CAF on a restricted schedule increases BDNF levels in the PFC of rats, highlighting that this may be a suboptimal feeding regime when investigating the effects of diet-induced obesity in the brain and emphasizing this as a point of attention when comparing the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Virtuoso
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (A.V.); (P.T.-N.); (A.M.V.S.-P.); (J.L.)
| | - Pernille Tveden-Nyborg
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (A.V.); (P.T.-N.); (A.M.V.S.-P.); (J.L.)
| | - Anne Marie Voigt Schou-Pedersen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (A.V.); (P.T.-N.); (A.M.V.S.-P.); (J.L.)
| | - Jens Lykkesfeldt
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (A.V.); (P.T.-N.); (A.M.V.S.-P.); (J.L.)
| | - Heidi Kaastrup Müller
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (H.K.M.); (B.E.)
| | - Betina Elfving
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark; (H.K.M.); (B.E.)
| | - Dorte Bratbo Sørensen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, DK-1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (A.V.); (P.T.-N.); (A.M.V.S.-P.); (J.L.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Early-life stress effects on BDNF DNA methylation in first-episode psychosis and in rats reared in isolation. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110188. [PMID: 33259836 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Stressful events during early-life are risk factors for psychiatric disorders. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in psychosis pathophysiology and deficits in BDNF mRNA in animal models of psychiatric disease are reported. DNA methylation can control gene expression and may be influenced by environmental factors such as early-life stress. We investigated BDNF methylation in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients (n = 58), their unaffected siblings (n = 29) and community-based controls (n = 59), each of whom completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ); BDNF methylation was also tested in male Wistar rats housed isolated or grouped from weaning. DNA was extracted from human blood and rat brain (prefrontal cortex and hippocampus), bisulphite-converted and the methylation of equivalent sequences within BDNF exon IV determined by pyrosequencing. BDNF methylation did not differ significantly between diagnostic groups; however, individuals who had experienced trauma presented higher levels of methylation. We found association between the mean BDNF methylation and total CTQ score in FEP, as well as between individual CpG sites and subtypes of trauma. No significant correlations were found for controls or siblings with child trauma. These results were independent of age, gender, body mass index, BDNF genotype or LINE-1, a measure of global methylation, which showed no significant association with trauma. Isolation rearing resulted in increased BDNF methylation in both brain regions compared to group-housed animals, a correlate of previously reported changes in gene expression. Our results suggest that childhood maltreatment may result in increased BDNF methylation, providing a mechanism underlying the association between early-life stress and psychosis.
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12
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Ji W, Bi Y, Cheng Z, Liu R, Zhang X, Shu Y, Li X, Bao J, Liu H. Impact of early socialization environment on social behavior, physiology and growth performance of weaned piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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13
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Almeida FB, Barros HMT, Pinna G. Neurosteroids and Neurotrophic Factors: What Is Their Promise as Biomarkers for Major Depression and PTSD? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041758. [PMID: 33578758 PMCID: PMC7916492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Even though major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are among the most prevalent and incapacitating mental illnesses in the world, their diagnosis still relies solely on the characterization of subjective symptoms (many of which are shared by multiple disorders) self-reported by patients. Thus, the need for objective measures that aid in the detection of and differentiation between psychiatric disorders becomes urgent. In this paper, we explore the potential of neurosteroids and neurotrophic proteins as biomarkers for MDD and PTSD. Circulating levels of the GABAergic neuroactive steroid, allopregnanolone, are diminished in MDD and PTSD patients, which corroborates the finding of depleted neurosteroid levels observed in animal models of these disorders. The neurotrophic protein, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), is also reduced in the periphery and in the brain of MDD patients and depressed-like animals that express lower neurosteroid levels. Although the role of BDNF in PTSD psychopathology seems less clear and merits more research, we propose a causal link between allopregnanolone levels and BDNF expression that could function as a biomarker axis for the diagnosis of both MDD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Borges Almeida
- Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (F.B.A.); (H.M.T.B.)
| | - Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
- Graduate Program in Health Science, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil; (F.B.A.); (H.M.T.B.)
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1601 W. Taylor Str., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence: or
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Couly S, Carles A, Denus M, Benigno-Anton L, Maschat F, Maurice T. Exposure of R6/2 mice in an enriched environment augments P42 therapy efficacy on Huntington's disease progression. Neuropharmacology 2021; 186:108467. [PMID: 33516737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is due to a mutation in the gene encoding for Huntingtin protein generating polyQ domain extension. Mutant Htt (mHtt) leads to important dysfunction of the BDNF/TrkB signaling. We previously described the 23aa Htt fragment P42, that attenuated the pathological phenotypes induced by mHtt. We reported that, in the R6/2 mouse model of HD, P42 rescued striatal TrkB level but marginally increased cortical BDNF. In the present study, our aim was to address P42 neuroprotection in presence of an external input of BDNF. We combined P42 administration with environmental enrichment (EE), induced by training in the Hamlet test. We examined the consequences of P42 + EE combination on different phenotypes in R6/2 HD mice: motor and cognitive performances, recorded at early and late pathological stages, and analyzed aggregated mHtt and BDNF levels in forebrain structures. Hamlet exploration (i.e., entries in Run, Hide, Eat, Drink and Interact houses) was gradually impaired in R6/2 mice, but maintained by P42 treatment until week 8. Topographic memory alteration measured at week 7 was attenuated by P42. Motor performances (rotarod) were significantly ameliorated by the P42 + EE combination until late stage (week 12). The P42 + EE combination also significantly decreased aggregated Htt levels in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex, and increased BDNF levels in the cortex and striatum. We concluded that combination between P42 treatment, known to increase TrkB striatal expression, and a BDNF-enhancing therapy such as EE efficiently delayed HD pathology in R6/2 mice. Use of dual therapies might be a pertinent strategy to fight neurodegeneration in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Couly
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Allison Carles
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Morgane Denus
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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15
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Cordier JM, Aguggia JP, Danelon V, Mir FR, Rivarola MA, Mascó D. Postweaning Enriched Environment Enhances Cognitive Function and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Signaling in the Hippocampus in Maternally Separated Rats. Neuroscience 2020; 453:138-147. [PMID: 33039520 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.09.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Adverse environments during early life may lead to different neurophysiological and behavioral consequences, including depression and learning and memory deficits that persist into adulthood. Previously, we demonstrated that exposure to an enriched environment during adolescence mitigates the cognitive impairment observed after maternal separation in a task-specific manner. However, underlying neural mechanisms are still not fully understood. The current study examines the effects of neonatal maternal separation (MS) and postweaning environmental enrichment (EE) on spatial learning and memory performance in a short version of the Barnes Maze, active and passive behaviors in the forced swim test, and on TrkB/BDNF receptor expression in the hippocampus. Our results revealed that MS impaired acquisition learning and that enriched rats performed better than non-enriched rats in acquisition trials, regardless of early conditions. During the probe, enriched-housed rats demonstrated better performance than those reared in standard conditions. No significant differences between groups were found in the forced swim test. Both MS and EE increase full-length TrkB expression, and the combination of MS and EE treatment caused the highest levels of this protein expression. Similarly, truncated TrkB expression was higher in the MS/EE group. Animal facility rearing (AFR) non-enriched groups present the lowest activation of phosphorylated Erk, a canonical downstream kinase of TrkB signaling. Taken together, our results demonstrate the importance of enriched environment as an intervention to ameliorate the effects of maternal separation on spatial learning and memory. TrkB/BDNF signaling could mediate neuroplastic changes related to learning and memory during exposure to enriched environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Maximiliano Cordier
- Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal (IDEA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba -Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Julieta Paola Aguggia
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo. Ciudad Universitaria, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Víctor Danelon
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Franco Rafael Mir
- Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Departamento de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Rioja, Av. Luis M. de la Fuente S/N, Ciudad Universitaria de la Ciencia y de la Técnica, F5300 La Rioja, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299 X5000JJC- Córdoba, Argentina
| | - María Angélica Rivarola
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud (INICSA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Enrique Barros esq. Enfermera Gordillo. Ciudad Universitaria, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina; Cátedra de Fisiología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 299 X5000JJC- Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Daniel Mascó
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611, CP: 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
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16
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Crouzier L, Couly S, Roques C, Peter C, Belkhiter R, Arguel Jacquemin M, Bonetto A, Delprat B, Maurice T. Sigma-1 (σ 1) receptor activity is necessary for physiological brain plasticity in mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 39:29-45. [PMID: 32893057 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The sigma-1 receptor (S1R) is a membrane-associated protein expressed in neurons and glia at mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAMs). S1R interacts with different partners to regulate cellular responses, including ER stress, mitochondrial physiology and Ca2+ fluxes. S1R shapes cellular plasticity by directly modulating signaling pathways involved in inflammatory responses, cell survival and death. We here analyzed its impact on brain plasticity in vivo, in mice trained in a complex maze, the Hamlet test. The device, providing strong enriched environment (EE) conditions, mimics a small village. It has a central agora and streets expanding from it, leading to functionalized houses where animals can Drink, Eat, Hide, Run, or Interact. Animals were trained in groups, 4 h/day for two weeks, and their maze exploration and topographic memory could be analyzed. Several groups of mice were considered: non-trained vs. trained; repeatedly administered with saline vs. NE-100, a selective S1R antagonist; and wildtype vs. S1R KO mice. S1R inactivation altered maze exploration and prevented topographic learning. EE induced a strong plasticity measured through resilience to behavioral despair or to the amnesic effects of scopolamine, and increases in S1R expression and bdnf mRNA levels in the hippocampus; increases in neurogenesis (proliferation and maturation); and increases of histone acetylation in the hippocampus and cortex. S1R inactivation altered all these parameters significantly, showing that S1R activity plays a major role in physiological brain plasticity. As S1R is a major resident protein in MAMs, modulating ER responses and mitochondrial homeostasy, MAM physiology appeared impacted by enriched environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Crouzier
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Simon Couly
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Chloé Roques
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Coralie Peter
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | | | - Anna Bonetto
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Tangui Maurice
- MMDN, Univ Montpellier, EPHE, INSERM, Montpellier, France.
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17
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Santoso D, Yolanda S, Redjeki S, Andraini T, Ivanali K. Continuous environmental enrichment and aerobic exercise improves spatial memory: focus on rat hippocampal BDNF and NGF. COMPARATIVE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.3920/cep190036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Memory is an important cognitive function in humans. Exercise and environmental enrichment (EE) exposure have positive effects on memory function via improved neurogenesis through expression of growth factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Exercise and environmental enrichment have independently been shown to increase BDNF and NGF, but the effect of the combination of these treatments has not been widely studied. This experimental study aims to analyse the effect of aerobic exercise, EE exposure, and combination of aerobic exercise and EE exposure on memory function. This study used twenty 7-month old male Wistar rats that were given treatment for 8 weeks. Memory function was tested using forced alternation Y-maze. Hippocampal expression of BDNF and NGF were also assessed. The results showed the combination group has highest performance in memory function test and also the highest level of hippocampal BDNF and NGF (P<0.05). It can be concluded that the combination of aerobic exercise and continuous EE exposure produces the best results for memory function through higher levels of hippocampal BDNF and NGF in adult rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- D.I.I. Santoso
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya no. 6, 10430 Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - S. Yolanda
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya no. 6, 10430 Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - S. Redjeki
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya no. 6, 10430 Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - T. Andraini
- Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya no. 6, 10430 Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - K. Ivanali
- Biomedical Sciences, Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Salemba Raya no. 6, 10430 Jakarta, Indonesia
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Gelfo F. Does Experience Enhance Cognitive Flexibility? An Overview of the Evidence Provided by the Environmental Enrichment Studies. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:150. [PMID: 31338030 PMCID: PMC6629767 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroplasticity accounts for the ability of the brain to change in both structure and function in consequence of life experiences. An enhanced stimulation provided by the environment is able to create a form of brain, neural, and cognitive reserve, which allows an individual to cope better with the environmental demands, also in case of neural damage leading to cognitive decline. With its complex manipulation of several stimuli, the animal experimental paradigm of environmental enrichment (EE) appears particularly effective in modulating the ability to successfully respond to the ever-changing characteristics of the environment. According to this point, it could be very relevant to analyze the specific effects of EE on cognitive flexibility (CF). CF could be defined as the ability to effectively change behavior in response to the environmental condition changing. This review article is specifically aimed to summarize and focus on the available evidence in relation to the effects of EE on CF. To this aim, findings obtained in behavioral tasks specifically structured to investigate animal CF, such as reversal learning and attentional set-shifting tests (tasks based on the request of responding to a rewarding rule that changes, within one or multiple perceptual dimensions), are reviewed. Data provided on the structural and biochemical correlates of these findings are also enumerated. Studies realized in healthy animals and also in pathological models are considered. On the whole, the summarized evidence clearly supports the specific beneficial effects of EE on CF. However, further studies on this key topic are strictly required to gain a comprehensive and detailed framework on the mechanisms by which an enhanced stimulation could improve CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gelfo
- Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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19
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Giacobbo BL, de Freitas BS, Vedovelli K, Schlemmer LM, Pires VN, Antoniazzi V, Santos CDSD, Paludo L, Borges JV, de Lima DB, Schröder N, de Vries EFJ, Bromberg E. Long-term environmental modifications affect BDNF concentrations in rat hippocampus, but not in serum. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:111965. [PMID: 31125621 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.111965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The role of mBDNF on the beneficial effects of cognitive stimulation on the brain remains controversial, as well as the potential of peripheral mBDNF as a biomarker of environmental effects on its central status. We investigated the effect of different environmental conditions on recognition memory, proBDNF, mBDNF and synaptophysin levels in the hippocampus, and on mBDNF levels in blood. Male Wistar rats (6 and 17 months-old) were assigned to cognitively enriched (EE), standard (SE) and impoverished (IE) environmental conditions for twelve weeks. Novel object recognition was performed at week 10. When the animals were 9 and 20-months old, hippocampus was collected for mBDNF, proBDNF and synaptophysin analysis; serum was analyzed for mBDNF levels. The cognitively EE improved recognition memory, resulted in a trend to increased hippocampal mBDNF and augmented synaptophysin levels. Accordingly, hippocampal mBDNF, proBDNF and synaptophysin were significantly higher in EE than IE animals. Hippocampal mBDNF was positively correlated to proBDNF, cellular and behavioral plasticity markers. No effect of age was seen on the studied variables. Moreover, no significant effects of EE or IE on serum mBDNF were observed. Serum mBDNF also failed to correlate with hippocampal mBDNF, proBDNF and with the cellular and behavioral plasticity markers. These findings indicate that mBDNF is involved in neuronal and behavioral plasticity mechanisms induced by cognitively enriched environments, and that peripheral mBDNF may not always be a reliable biomarker of the effects of environmental settings on central mBDNF and plasticity, which is of special interest from a translational research perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Lima Giacobbo
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 31.001, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Betânia Souza de Freitas
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Kelem Vedovelli
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6690, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lívia Machado Schlemmer
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vivian Naziaseno Pires
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Antoniazzi
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cristophod de Souza Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leticia Paludo
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliano Viana Borges
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Daiane Borba de Lima
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Nadja Schröder
- National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Erik F J de Vries
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, P.O. Box 31.001, 9713 GZ, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elke Bromberg
- Laboratory of Biology and Development of the Nervous System, School of Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6681, 90619-900, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Institute of Geriatrics and Gerontology, School of Medicine, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Ipiranga Av. 6690, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq), Brasília, Brazil.
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Barros W, David M, Souza A, Silva M, Matos R. Can the effects of environmental enrichment modulate BDNF expression in hippocampal plasticity? A systematic review of animal studies. Synapse 2019; 73:e22103. [PMID: 31056812 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Environmental enrichment (EE) can be related to changes in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of adult rodents. Exposure to EE may also induce neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG). The aim of this systematic review was to analyze the current literature on the correlation between neurogenesis and BDNF expression in the hippocampal DG region resulting from exposure to EE, which is associated with changes in memory, in rodents. METHODS Bibliographic searches of the Medline/PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were carried out, and 334 studies were found. A predefined protocol was used and registered on PROSPERO, and 32 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. The PRISMA was used to report this systematic review. RESULTS Most of the included studies showed that there is little evidence in the literature demonstrating that memory changes resulting from EE are dependent on BDNF expression and that there is an induction of neurogenesis in the hippocampal DG. However, the observed increase in molecular expression levels and cell proliferation is dependent on the age, the timing and duration of exposure to EE. Regarding the methodological quality of the studies, the majority presented a risk of bias due to the high variability in the age of the animals. CONCLUSION There are few studies in the literature that correlate the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in neurogenesis in the hippocampal DG with BDNF expression in this region in rodents exposed to EE; however, there are other factors that can modulate this neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleska Barros
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil.,CITENC (Centro integrado de tecnologia em neurociência), Centro Integrado de Tecnologia e Pesquisa (CINTEP) - Centro Universitário Osman Lins (FACOL), Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | - Mirian David
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil
| | - Ana Souza
- Fisioterapia, Centro Universitário Osman Lins (FACOL), Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | - Mariluce Silva
- Fisioterapia, Centro Universitário Osman Lins (FACOL), Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
| | - Rhowena Matos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciências do Comportamento, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, Brazil.,Núcleo de Educação Física e Ciências do Esporte, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Centro Acadêmico de Vitória (CAV), Vitória de Santo Antão, Brazil
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Cutuli D, Berretta E, Laricchiuta D, Caporali P, Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Pre-reproductive Parental Enriching Experiences Influence Progeny's Developmental Trajectories. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:254. [PMID: 30483072 PMCID: PMC6240645 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
While the positive effects of environmental enrichment (EE) applied after weaning, in adulthood, during aging, or even in the presence of brain damage have been widely described, the transgenerational effects of pre-reproductive EE have been less examined. And yet, this issue is remarkable given that parental environmental experience may imprint offspring’s phenotype over generations through many epigenetic processes. Interactions between individual and environment take place lifelong even before conception. In fact, the environment pre-reproductively experienced by the mother and/or the father exerts a substantial impact on neural development and motor and cognitive performances of the offspring, even if not directly exposed to social, cognitive, physical and/or motor enrichment. Furthermore, pre-reproductive parental enrichment exerts a transgenerational impact on coping response to stress as well as on the social behavior of the offspring. Among the effects of pre-reproductive parental EE, a potentiation of the maternal care and a decrease in global methylation levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of the progeny have been described. Finally, pre-reproductive EE modifies different pathways of neuromodulation in the brain of the offspring (involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor, oxytocin and glucocorticoid receptors). The present review highlights the importance of pre-reproductive parental enrichment in altering the performances not only of animals directly experiencing it, but also of their progeny, thus opening the way to new hypotheses on the inheritance mechanisms of behavioral traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora Cutuli
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Berretta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Laricchiuta
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Caporali
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Rault JL, Lawrence AJ, Ralph CR. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in serum as an animal welfare indicator of environmental enrichment in pigs. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2018; 65:67-70. [PMID: 30007130 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Environment enrichment is a rising topic for animal welfare but measures to identify effective enrichment interventions are lacking. In humans and rodent species, environmental enrichment increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the most abundant neurotrophin in the brain. Higher BDNF concentration is ultimately linked to higher stress resilience, and BDNF in the hippocampus enhances learning and memory. In addition, BDNF concentrations in the brain and blood are correlated, offering the opportunity to use peripheral BDNF as a minimally invasive measure of effective enrichment reflecting neural changes. This study investigated changes in serum BDNF following the provision of environmental enrichment to pigs. Pigs were housed in different environments during lactation (enriched vs barren) and after weaning (enriched vs barren), using a 2 × 2 factorial design and the provision of a foraging block as enrichment. Pigs provided with foraging enrichment during lactation or after weaning tended to have higher serum BDNF concentrations than pigs housed in a barren environment, and this effect was significant for pigs enriched during lactation when sampled 5 wk after weaning. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration reduced as the pigs aged from 3 to 11 wk. The measurement of BDNF in serum brings a practical approach to study the effects of environmental enrichment on neurobiological changes in domestic animals. A better understanding of the factors modulating BDNF and its link to welfare states could bring insight into the benefits of stimulating an animal's life.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-L Rault
- Institute of Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, A-1210, Austria; Animal Welfare Science Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - A J Lawrence
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - C R Ralph
- South Australian Research and Development Institute, Urrbrae, South Australia, SA 5371, Australia
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23
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Amygdala - and serum - neurotrophic factor levels depend on rearing condition in male rats. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2018; 9:377-380. [PMID: 29582716 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174418000144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Early life experiences could determine brain and behavioral development. Neurotrophic factors are likely to mediate the effects of the experience on brain structures and function. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a central role in psychiatric disorders. To investigate the effects of early rearing condition on the amygdala - and serum - BDNF levels, we reared male Wistar rats from weaning (postnatal days 21) to adulthood (postnatal days 119) in three different rearing conditions: (1) enriched, (2) standard and (3) isolated. We found that long-term post-weaning environmental enrichment leads to lower amygdala - and serum - BDNF levels as well as lower brain weights. Grouped rearing in standard laboratory cages enhanced body weight. Thus, early rearing condition might play a crucial role in adult healthiness by predetermining individual BDNF profiles.
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24
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Dandi Ε, Kalamari A, Touloumi O, Lagoudaki R, Nousiopoulou E, Simeonidou C, Spandou E, Tata DA. Beneficial effects of environmental enrichment on behavior, stress reactivity and synaptophysin/BDNF expression in hippocampus following early life stress. Int J Dev Neurosci 2018; 67:19-32. [PMID: 29545098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental enrichment can beneficially influence the behavior and enhance synaptic plasticity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediated effects of environmental enrichment on postnatal stress-associated impact with regard to behavior, stress reactivity as well as synaptic plasticity changes in the dorsal hippocampus. Wistar rat pups were submitted to a 3 h maternal separation (MS) protocol during postnatal days 1-21, while another group was left undisturbed. On postnatal day 23, a subgroup from each rearing condition (maternal separation, no-maternal separation) was housed in enriched environmental conditions until postnatal day 65 (6 weeks duration). At approximately three months of age, adult rats underwent behavioral testing to evaluate anxiety (Elevated Plus Maze), locomotion (Open Field Test), spatial learning and memory (Morris Water Maze) as well as non-spatial recognition memory (Novel Object Recognition Test). After completion of behavioral testing, blood samples were taken for evaluation of stress-induced plasma corticosterone using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while immunofluorescence was applied to evaluate hippocampal BDNF and synaptophysin expression in dorsal hippocampus. We found that environmental enrichment protected against the effects of maternal separation as indicated by the lower anxiety levels and the reversal of spatial memory deficits compared to animals housed in standard conditions. These changes were associated with increased BDNF and synaptophysin expression in the hippocampus. Regarding the neuroendocrine response to stress, while exposure to an acute stressor potentiated corticosterone increases in maternally-separated rats, environmental enrichment of these rats prevented this effect. The current study aimed at investigating the compensatory role of enriched environment against the negative outcomes of adverse experiences early in life concurrently on emotional and cognitive behaviors, HPA function and neuroplasticity markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Εvgenia Dandi
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Kalamari
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Olga Touloumi
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Rosa Lagoudaki
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Evangelia Nousiopoulou
- Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Constantina Simeonidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece
| | - Evangelia Spandou
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece.
| | - Despina A Tata
- Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 541 24, Greece.
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25
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Gualtieri F, Brégère C, Laws GC, Armstrong EA, Wylie NJ, Moxham TT, Guzman R, Boswell T, Smulders TV. Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Doublecortin and BDNF Expression along the Dorso-Ventral Axis of the Dentate Gyrus. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:488. [PMID: 28966570 PMCID: PMC5605570 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in the dentate gyrus is known to respond to environmental enrichment, chronic stress, and many other factors. The function of AHN may vary across the septo-temporal axis of the hippocampus, as different subdivisions are responsible for different functions. The dorsal pole regulates cognitive-related behaviors, while the ventral pole mediates mood-related responses through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In this study, we investigate different methods of quantifying the effect of environmental enrichment on AHN in the dorsal and ventral parts of the dentate gyrus (dDG and vDG). To this purpose, 11-week-old female CD-1 mice were assigned for 8 days to one of two conditions: the Environmental Enrichment (E) group received (i) running wheels, (ii) larger cages, (iii) plastic tunnels, and (iv) bedding with male urine, while the Control (C) group received standard housing. Dorsal CA (Cornu Ammonis) and DG regions were larger in the E than the C animals. Distance run linearly predicted the volume of the dorsal hippocampus, as well as of the intermediate and ventral CA regions. In the dDG, the amount of Doublecortin (DCX) immunoreactivity was significantly higher in E than in C mice. Surprisingly, this pattern was the opposite in the vDG (C > E). Real-time PCR measurement of Dcx mRNA and DCX protein analysis using ELISA showed the same pattern. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) immunoreactivity and mRNA displayed no difference between E and C, suggesting that upregulation of DCX was not caused by changes in BDNF levels. BDNF levels were higher in vDG than in dDG, as measured by both methods. Bdnf expression in vDG correlated positively with the distance run by individual E mice. The similarity in the patterns of immunoreactivity, mRNA and protein for differential DCX expression and for BDNF distribution suggests that the latter two methods might be effective tools for more rapid quantification of AHN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Gualtieri
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Brégère
- Brain Ischemia and Regeneration, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital BaselBasel, Switzerland
| | - Grace C Laws
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Elena A Armstrong
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,School of Psychology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Wylie
- School of Psychology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Theo T Moxham
- School of Psychology, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Brain Ischemia and Regeneration, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital BaselBasel, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Boswell
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Tom V Smulders
- Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle UniversityNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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26
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Brown SM, Peters R, Lawrence AB. Up-regulation of IGF-1 in the frontal cortex of piglets exposed to an environmentally enriched arena. Physiol Behav 2017; 173:285-292. [PMID: 28238777 PMCID: PMC5358774 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is widely used in the life sciences to study effects of environment on the brain. In pigs, despite lack of EE being a key welfare issue there is little understanding of brain effects of EE in pigs. This project aimed to study the effects of exposure to an EE arena on piglet behaviours and on brain gene expression levels with a focus on IGF-1 and related genes. Eight litters of large white×landrace×Hampshire piglets were farrowed and raised in a free farrowing system (PigSAFE). At 42days of age, 6pigletsperlitter were given access to an enriched arena with plentiful peat, straw and space, (in groups of 4 made up of stable pairs) for 15min per day on 5 consecutive days to allow them to habituate to the apparatus. Piglet behaviours were recorded in the arena for 15min periods on 3 consecutive days. On the final day only one pair of test piglets per litter was given access to the arena. Brain tissue was collected within 45min of the test from piglets exposed to the arena on the day and their non-exposed littermate controls. RNA was extracted from the frontal cortex and QRT-PCR for selected genes run on a Stratgene MX3005P. In both the home pen and the EE arena litters spent the largest proportion of time engaging in foraging behaviour which was significantly increased in the enriched arena (t7=5.35, df=6, p=0.001). There were decreases in non-running play (t7=4.82, p=0.002) and inactivity (t7=4.6, p=0.002) in the arena. A significant fold change increase (FC=1.07, t=4.42, p=0.002) was observed in IGF-1 gene expression in the frontal cortex of piglets exposed to the enriched arena compared to those not exposed on the day of culling. No change in expression was observed in CSF1, the IGF-1 receptor gene nor in any of the binding proteins tested (IGFBP1-6). There was a weak tendency for increased expression of the neurotrophic factor BDNF1 (fold change: 1.03; t7=1.54, p=0.1). We believe this work is the first to explore effects of EE on pig brain physiology and development, and also points to a potential role for IGF-1 in brain effects of EE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M. Brown
- University of Edinburgh, Roslin Institute, Penicuik EH25 9RG, United Kingdom,Corresponding author.
| | - Rebecca Peters
- SRUC, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, United Kingdom
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Cummins ED, Leedy KK, Dose JM, Peterson DJ, Kirby SL, Hernandez LJ, Brown RW. The effects of adolescent methylphenidate exposure on the behavioral and brain-derived neurotrophic factor response to nicotine. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:75-85. [PMID: 27940499 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116681458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study analyzed the interaction of adolescent methylphenidate on the behavioral response to nicotine and the effects of these drug treatments on brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were intraperitoneal administered 1 mg/kg methylphenidate or saline using a "school day" regimen (five days on, two days off) beginning on postnatal day (P)28 and throughout behavioral testing. In Experiment 1, animals were intraperitoneal administered 0.5 mg/kg (free base) nicotine or saline every second day for 10 days from P45-P63 and tested after a three-day drug washout on the forced swim stress task on P67-P68. Results revealed that adolescent methylphenidate blunted nicotine behavioral sensitization. However, methylphenidate-treated rats given saline during sensitization demonstrated decreased latency to immobility and increased immobility time on the forced swim stress task in males that was reduced by nicotine. In Experiment 2, a different set of animals were conditioned to nicotine (0.6 mg/kg free base) or saline using the conditioned place preference behavioral paradigm from P44-P51, and given a preference test on P52. On P53, the nucleus accumbens and hippocampus were analyzed for brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Methylphenidate enhanced nicotine-conditioned place preference in females and nicotine produced conditioned place preference in males and females pre-exposed to saline in adolescence. In addition, methylphenidate and nicotine increased nucleus accumbens brain-derived neurotrophic factor in females and methylphenidate enhanced hippocampus brain-derived neurotrophic factor in males and females. Methylphenidate adolescent exposure using a clinically relevant dose and regimen results in changes in the behavioral and brain-derived neurotrophic factor responses to nicotine in adolescence that are sex-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth D Cummins
- 1 Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Kristen K Leedy
- 1 Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - John M Dose
- 3 Department of Psychology, St Norbert College, De Pere, WI, USA
| | - Daniel J Peterson
- 1 Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Seth L Kirby
- 1 Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Liza J Hernandez
- 1 Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Russell W Brown
- 2 Department of Biomedical Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
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