Developmental vitamin D-deficiency produces autism-relevant behaviours and gut-health associated alterations in a rat model.

ABSTRACT: Developmental vitamin D (DVD)-deficiency is an epidemiologically established risk factor for autism. Emerging studies also highlight the involvement of gut microbiome/gut physiology in autism. The current study aims to examine the effect of DVD-deficiency on a broad range of autism-relevant behavioural phenotypes and gut health. Vitamin D deficient rat dams exhibited altered maternal care, DVD-deficient pups showed increased ultrasonic vocalizations and as adolescents, social behaviour impairments and increased repetitive self-grooming behaviour. There were significant impacts of DVD-deficiency on gut health demonstrated by alterations to the microbiome, decreased villi length and increased ileal propionate levels. Overall, our animal model of this epidemiologically validated risk exposure

SUBMITTER: Tamang MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10267107 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature