Advanced maternal age impairs spatial learning capacity in young adult mouse offspring.

ABSTRACT: Effects of maternal aging on the offspring cognitive function remain controversial in population-based investigations, and information available in animal studies is very limited. We investigated the impact of a delayed first natural pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes in the mouse model. Spatial learning capacity in young adult mouse offspring was observed by step-down passive avoidance task and Morris water maze (MWM). Maternal serum α-klotho was measured by ELISA. Morphological characteristics of fetoplacental unit and offspring brain were identified by H&E and immunohistochemistry. Klotho, VDR and other related genes expression were quantified by real-time-RT-PCR and western blot. We found delayed pregnancy reduced fertility in female mice by three-fold (Young vs. Old: 5.0% vs. 20.7%), and

SUBMITTER: Mao WJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5883138 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature