The Effect of Erythropoietin on Learning and Memory in Rat Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Background: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) leads toabnormalities in the foetal central nervous system, till apoptosisbecame in hippocampal and cortical cells. The goal of thisresearch is investigating the effects of erythropoietin (EPO)on hippocampal cell density, learning, and memory in the ratmodel of IUGR.Materials and Methods: In order to induction of IUGR, pregnantWistar rats were under ۵۰ % restricted diet from ۱۴ embryonicdays (ED). From ۱۲ ED, EPO- treated rats were received۵۰۰, ۱۰۰۰ and ۲۰۰۰ U/kg EPO, subcutaneously. After the birthof pups, morphological evaluations were checked. Then, in ۳۰postnatal days after cardiac perfusion, histopathologic and stereologicstudies of hippocampus were assessed. The workingand passive avoidance memories were analyzed by Y-maze andshuttle box tests.Results: The cell density in CA۱, CA۲, CA۳ and dentete gyrusof hippocampus in IUGR rats was reduced significantly comparedto the controls. In addition restricted diet leads to decreasein working and avoidance memories. On the other hand, EPO was ameliorated hippocampal cell damages and increasedworking and passive avoidance memories in treated rats.Conclusion: The findings suggest that restricted diet duringpregnancy can cause hippocampal cell deficits in rats. This islikely due to decreased learning and memories. The results alsosuggest that the neuroprotective effect of EPO is likely to improvehippocampal cell damages in IUGR rat model.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hippocampus ، Intrauterine Growth Restriction ، Memory ، Erythropoietin