Open Collections

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal regulation in rats prenatally exposed to ethanol

University of British Columbia

Rats prenatally exposed to ethanol (E) exhibit a hyperresponsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, demonstrated by increased and/or prolonged elevations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and/or corticosterone (CORT) following stress; however, basal levels are normal. The major objective of this thesis was to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of HPA hyperresponsiveness in E rats. We hypothesized that HPA hyperresponsiveness in E rats is mediated, in part, by enhanced HPA drive and/or by alterations in CORT feedback regulation. In all studies, male and female Sprague-Dawley offspring from E, pair-fed (PF) and control (C) groups were tested in adulthood at 90-120 d of age. The mechanisms mediating HPA hyperresponsiveness in E rats and the role of CORT in mediating any alterations were investigated using several manipulations: adrenalectomy (ADX) with or without CORT replacement, CORT receptor blockade and restraint stress. ADX revealed that E males exhibit enhanced biosynthesis of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and elevated plasma ACTH levels independent of CORT alterations, indicating that HPA hyperresponsiveness in E animals is not due solely to altered CORT feedback. Enhanced CRH synthesis also occurred in sham-operated E females. Measures of CRH Type 1 receptor and pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA suggested that hyperresponsiveness in E animals is likely not mediated by enhanced pituitary sensitivity to CRH. CORT receptor (mineralocorticoid receptors, MRs, and glucocorticoid receptors, GRs) mRNA levels in the hippocampus indicated that E males may have a decreased sensitivity to CORT feedback regulation of these genes in response to ADX with CORT replacement. As well, in response to MR or GR blockade, E females exhibited greater HPA activity compared to controls, indicative of enhanced HPA drive. Taken together, these studies indicate that prenatal ethanol exposure permanently reprograms the HPA axis of the rat such that HPA drive is enhanced into adulthood. Although some compensatory mechanisms appear to be in place to maintain normal basal ACTH and CORT levels, in response to challenge these mechanisms break down and alterations are revealed. HPA dysregulation in E rats appears to be mainly suprapituitary, mediated by enhanced drive to the hypothalamus as reflected by increased CRH biosynthesis.

Thesis/Dissertation

application/pdf

2009-11-11

For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/14782

Neuroscience

University of British Columbia

UBCV

DSpace