Sexually dimorphic alterations of brain cortical dominance in rats prenatally exposed to TCDD

Zareba, G; Hojo, R; Zareba, KM; Watanabe, C; Markowski, VP; Baggs, RB; Weiss, B

HERO ID

197567

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2002

Language

English

PMID

11920938

HERO ID 197567
In Press No
Year 2002
Title Sexually dimorphic alterations of brain cortical dominance in rats prenatally exposed to TCDD
Authors Zareba, G; Hojo, R; Zareba, KM; Watanabe, C; Markowski, VP; Baggs, RB; Weiss, B
Journal Journal of Applied Toxicology
Volume 22
Issue 2
Page Numbers 129-137
Abstract Sexually dimorphic patterns of cortical lateralization are documented extensively in both human and animal brains. Male rats tend to exhibit pronounced right hemisphere dominance compared with females, whereas females typically exhibit more diffuse lateralization patterns and greater left hemisphere bias compared with males. Prenatal TCDD (2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin) exposure produces demasculinization of male offspring sexual behavior. In previous studies, we showed a reversal of cortical dominance in rats after prenatal TCDD exposure on gestational day 18 (GD 18). The current study aimed to determine the nature of changes observed in rats exposed to TCDD on GD 8. In addition, locomotor activity was measured in male and female offspring on postnatal day (PND) 30, 60 and 90. Pregnant females were given, via gavage, a single dose of 0, 20, 60 or 180 ng kg(-1) TCDD on GD 8. Cortical depth measurements were taken in selected brain regions in offspring 3 months old that had been exposed to the 180 ng kg(-1) dose. Areas 2, 3, 17, 18a and 39 at bregmas -1.8, -3.8 and -5.8 were analyzed by quantifying digitized, enhanced images produced by a photomicroscope fitted with a special color camera. In both male and female offspring, cortical thicknesses in control brains exceeded those of exposed brains. In several brain areas of male offspring exposed to TCDD, right hemispheric dominance reversed to left hemispheric dominance. Female offspring brains showed a contrary move towards right hemisphere dominance. Motor activity in juvenile and mature animals did not differ among dose groups. These data demonstrate that prenatal exposure to TCDD reduces cortical thickness and alters the normal pattern of cortical asymmetry, a finding consistent with the sexually dimorphic behavioral effects induced by this agent.
Doi 10.1002/jat.839
Pmid 11920938
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments N1-Mar-AprN1-Sexually dimorphic alterations of brain cortical dominance in rats prenatally exposed to TCDDN1-11920938N1-Zareba, GrazynaHojo, RiekoZareba, Karolina MWatanabe, ChihoMarkowski, Vincent PBaggs, Raymond BWeiss, BernardES 01247/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United StatesES 08958/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/United StatesComparative StudyResearch Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.EnglandJournal of applied toxicology : JATJ Appl Toxicol. 2002 Mar-Apr;22(2):129-37.N1-engAD-Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.ID-333
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword TCDD; Prenatal exposure; Brain cortical lateralization; Motor activity
Is Qa No