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Abstracts

Effect of Prenatal Stress on Hippocampal NKCC1 and KCC2 Cotransporters Expression and Susceptibility to Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Neonatal Rats

Abstract number : 3.484
Submission category : 3. Neurophysiology / 3F. Animal Studies
Year : 2025
Submission ID : 1475
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/8/2025 12:00:00 AM
Published date :

Authors :
Presenting Author: Brenda Martinez-Rojas, BS – Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, UV

Cecilia Zavala-Tecuapetla, PhD – Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia "Manuel Velasco Suarez"
Consuelo Morgado-Valle, PhD – Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, UV
Luis Beltran-Parrazal, PhD – Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, UV
Leonor Lopez-Meraz, PhD – Instituto de Investigaciones Cerebrales, UV

Rationale: Prenatal stress can affect the development of the central nervous system, including neuronal excitability through changes in the expression of the NKCC1 and KCC2 cotransporters, which regulate intra- and extracellular chloride (Cl-) levels and mediate the inhibitory or excitatory action of GABA via its GABAA receptor. Disruption of the Cl- gradient has been associated with increased seizure susceptibility during early stages of life.1,2,3 The aim of this study was to evaluate hippocampal NKCC1 and KCC2 expression, as well as seizure susceptibility in developing rats whose mothers were stressed during gestation.

Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats were subjected to restraint stress from gestational day 12 to 20 (two daily sessions of 2 h each during the light phase). A control group underwent pregnancy under standard conditions. Hippocampal NKCC1 and KCC2 expressions was assessed at postnatal days (P) 7, 14 and 21. At P7, both control and stress groups received pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 100 mg/kg, s.c.). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the Mexican Official Norm NOM-062-ZOO-1999 for the use and care of laboratory animals, and the protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (2022-003-a).

Results: Prenatal stress did not alter hippocampal NKCC1 or KCC2 expression at any age. It also had no effect on the incidence, severity, or latency to PTZ-induced seizures in either sex. However, stressed males exhibited higher mortality during seizures compared with controls.

Conclusions: Prenatal stress does not affect hippocampal NKCC1 or KCC2 expression or seizure susceptibility induced through a non-competitivity antagonist of GABAA receptors in neonates.

Funding:
  • CONAHCYT doctoral scholarship 814093 awarded to BMR
  • Cuerpo Académico de Neurofisiología (UV-CA-333)
  • Proyecto SIREI (No. DGI: 242922024175)


Neurophysiology