Long-term effects of gestational nicotine exposure and food-restriction on gene expression in the striatum of adolescent rats.

ABSTRACT: Gestational exposure to environmental toxins such as nicotine may result in detectable gene expression changes in later life. To investigate the direct toxic effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on later brain development, we have used transcriptomic analysis of striatal samples to identify gene expression differences between adolescent Lister Hooded rats exposed to nicotine in utero and controls. Using an additional group of animals matched for the reduced food intake experienced in the nicotine group, we were also able to assess the impact of imposed food-restriction on gene expression profiles. We found little evidence for a role of gestational nicotine exposure on altered gene expression in the striatum of adolescent offspring at a significance level of p<0.01 and |log2 fold change >0

SUBMITTER: Ilott NE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3929494 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature