Morphological Features and HIF1-Dependent Processes in the Brain of Progeny of Female Rats Exposed to Maternal Hypoxia.

Fetal hypoxia and maternal stress during pregnancy are major risk factors for neurological disorders. The effects of maternal hypoxia may be transmitted to the next generation through persistent alterations in maternal endocrine and metabolic regulation. In this study, using immunohistochemistry, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blotting, we assessed morphological features and HIF1-dependent processes in the fetal and adult brains of progeny of female rats exposed to maternal hypoxia (PMH). We identified a delay in progenitor cell differentiation into neurons at embryonic day 14, a decreased number of neurons in the hippocampus, an increased number of astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex, and a decreased number of astrocytes in the raphe nuclei of the PMH rats. However, no significant changes were observed in HIF1α protein levels or in the protein levels of HIF1-dependent gene products in the examined brain structures. Thus, the transgenerational effect of maternal hypoxia is manifested as structural disturbances of brain development but is not accompanied by changes in HIF1-dependent metabolism.