The Dynamics of the Contents of Neurotrophic Factors in Early Ontogeny in the Brain Structures of Rats Subjected to Prenatal Hypoxia

Abstract

We analyzed the contents of neurotrophic factors (BDNF and NGF) and the S-100 protein in the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum of the rat brain during early postnatal ontogeny. We found that the BDNF content in the cortex is significantly lower than in the hippocampus and cerebellum, which may indicate a different degree of maturity of the studied structures during the first month of life. The maximum BDNF and NGF content in the control group of animals was observed on the 10th day of life and by the first month it decreased in the cerebellum and remained at this level (in the hippocampus and cortex), while the amount of S-100 protein gradually increased during the entire first month of life. It was found that prenatal hypoxia is followed by a significant decrease in the contents of BDNF and NGF and the S-100 protein in early ontogeny; the change in their levels is maintained with age in comparison with control values, which may be one of the causes for a delay in the development of the nervous system and body as a whole.