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Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure Alters Oxytocin Receptor Gene Expression And Maternal Behavior In Rat, Howard Cromwell Dec 2014

Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure Alters Oxytocin Receptor Gene Expression And Maternal Behavior In Rat, Howard Cromwell

Howard Casey Cromwell

Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is a persistent organic pollutant known to induce diverse molecular and behavioral alterations. Effects of PCB exposure could be transmitted to future generations via changes in behavior and gene expression. Previous work has shown that PCB-exposure can alter social behavior. The present study extends this work by examining a possible molecular mechanism for these changes. Pregnant rats (Sprague-Dawley) were exposed through diet to a combination of non-coplanar (PCB 47 - 2,20,4,40-tetrachlorobiphenyl) and coplanar (PCB 77 - 3,30,4,40- tetrachlorobiphenyl) congeners. Maternal care behaviors were examined by evaluating the rate and quality of nest building on the last 4 …

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A Novel Taulacz Allele Reveals A Requirement For Pitx2 In Formation Of The Mammillothalamic Tract, Mindy Waite Dec 2011

A Novel Taulacz Allele Reveals A Requirement For Pitx2 In Formation Of The Mammillothalamic Tract, Mindy Waite

Mindy Waite

The hypothalamic mammillary region is critical for spatial memory and vestibular processing. Pitx2 encodes a paired-like transcription factor that is highly expressed in the developing mammillary region and is required for subthalamic nucleus formation. Here we analyzed a loss of function Pitx2-TaulacZ knock-in allele to study the effects of Pitx2 deficiency on neuronal projections in the embryonic mammillary region. Pitx2-expressing neurons contribute axons to principal mammillary, mammillotegmental and mammillotectal tracts. Embryos with Pitx2 deficiency exhibit axonal fibers in the principal mammillary tract that are improperly bundled and disorganized, yet project caudally toward the tectum and tegmentum. Embryos …

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Distinct Populations Of Gabaergic Neurons In Mouse Rhombomere 1 Express But Do Not Require The Homeodomain Transcription Factor Pitx2, Mindy Waite Dec 2011

Distinct Populations Of Gabaergic Neurons In Mouse Rhombomere 1 Express But Do Not Require The Homeodomain Transcription Factor Pitx2, Mindy Waite

Mindy Waite

Hindbrain rhombomere 1 (r1) is located caudal to the isthmus, a critical organizer region, and rostral to rhombomere 2 in the developing mouse brain. Dorsal r1 gives rise to the cerebellum, locus coeruleus, and several brainstem nuclei, whereas cells from ventral r1 contribute to the trochlear and trigeminal nuclei as well as serotonergic and GABAergic neurons of the dorsal raphe. Recent studies have identified several molecular events controlling dorsal r1 development. In contrast, very little is known about ventral r1 gene expression and the genetic mechanisms regulating its formation. Neurons with distinct neurotransmitter phenotypes have been identified in ventral r1 …

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The Effects Of Prenatal Stress On Motivation In The Rat Pup, Howard Cromwell Dec 2007

The Effects Of Prenatal Stress On Motivation In The Rat Pup, Howard Cromwell

Howard Casey Cromwell

Exposure to prenatal stress (PNS) has been shown to induce a set of psychological and behavioral changes in developing offspring. We used the rodent model to investigate whether PNS produces changes in the ability of the pup to express social motivation.We used a set of behavioral tasks including monitoring ultrasonic vocalizations after isolation, a conditioned place preference, and a novel and familiar odor approach test. Pregnant Long–Evans rats were exposed to an unpredictable, variable stressor twice daily during the third week of gestation. Isolation vocalizations were assessed on postnatal day (PND) 10. Pup affinity for the dam was evaluated on …

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