Effect of behavior training on learning, memory and the expression of NR2B, GluR1 in hippocampus of rats offspring with fetal growth restriction

Abstract

Objective To study effects of behavior training on learning, memory and the expression of NR2B, GluR1 in hippocampus of rat' s offspring with fetal growth restriction(FGR). Methods The rat model of FGR was established by passive smoking method. The rats offspring were divided into the FGR group and the control group, then randomly divided into the trained and untrained group, respectively. Morris water maze test was proceeded on postnatal month(PM2/4) as a behavior training method, then the learning-memory of rats was detected through dark-avoidance and step-down tests. The expressions of NR2B and GluR1 subunits in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas were detected by immunohistochemical method. Results In the dark-avoidance and step-down tests, the performance record of rats with FGR was worse than that of control rats, and the behavior-trained rats was better than the untrained rats, when the FGR model and training factors were analyzed singly. The model factor and training factor had significant interaction( P < 0.05). The expressions of NR2B and GluR1 subunits in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas of rats with FGR reduced. In contrast, the expressions of GluR1 and NR2B subunits in CA1 area of behavior-trained rats increased, when the FGR model and training factors were analyzed singly. Conclusion These findings suggested that the effect of behavior training on the expressions of NR2B and GluR1 subunits in CA1 area should be the mechanistic basis for the training-induced improvement in learning-memory abilities.