BACKGROUND Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with abnormal neurodevelopment, but the associated structural brain changes are poorly documented. The aim of this study was to describe in an animal model the brain changes at the cellular level in the gray and white matter induced by IUGR during the neonatal period. METHODS The IUGR model was surgically induced in pregnant rabbits by ligating 40-50% of the uteroplacental vessels in 1 horn, whereas the uteroplacental vessels of the contralateral horn were not ligated. After 5 days, IUGR animals from the ligated horn and controls from the nonligated were delivered. On the day of delivery, perinatal data and placentas were collected. On postnatal day 1, functional changes were first evaluated, and thereafter, neuronal arborization in the frontal cortex and density of pre-oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and microglia in the corpus callosum were evaluated. RESULTS Higher stillbirth in IUGR fetuses together with a reduced birth weight as compared to controls was evidenced. IUGR animals showed poorer functional results, an altered neuronal arborization pattern, and a decrease in the pre-oligodendrocytes, with no differences in microglia and astrocyte densities. CONCLUSIONS Overall, in the rabbit model used, IUGR is related to functional and brain changes evidenced already at birth, including changes in the neuronal arborization and abnormal oligodendrocyte maturation.

中文翻译：

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宫内生长受限兔模型新生儿期脑结构变化。

背景 宫内生长受限 (IUGR) 与异常的神经发育有关，但相关的大脑结构变化却鲜有记载。本研究的目的是在动物模型中描述新生儿期 IUGR 诱导的脑灰质和白质细胞水平的变化。方法在妊娠家兔1只角结扎40-50%的子宫胎盘血管，通过手术诱导IUGR模型，对侧角的子宫胎盘血管不结扎。5 天后，来自结扎角的 IUGR 动物和来自未结扎角的对照动物被交付。在分娩当天，收集围产期数据和胎盘。在产后第 1 天，首先评估功能变化，然后，评估了额叶皮层中的神经元树状结构和胼胝体中前少突胶质细胞、星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的密度。结果 与对照组相比，IUGR 胎儿死产率更高，出生体重降低。IUGR 动物的功能结果较差，神经元树枝状结构改变，前少突胶质细胞减少，小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞密度没有差异。结论 总体而言，在使用的兔模型中，IUGR 与出生时已证实的功能和大脑变化有关，包括神经元树枝状结构的变化和异常少突胶质细胞成熟。IUGR 动物的功能结果较差，神经元树枝状结构改变，前少突胶质细胞减少，小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞密度没有差异。结论 总体而言，在使用的兔模型中，IUGR 与出生时已证实的功能和大脑变化有关，包括神经元树枝状结构的变化和异常少突胶质细胞成熟。IUGR 动物的功能结果较差，神经元树枝状结构改变，前少突胶质细胞减少，小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞密度没有差异。结论 总体而言，在使用的兔模型中，IUGR 与出生时已证实的功能和大脑变化有关，包括神经元树枝状结构的变化和异常少突胶质细胞成熟。