Memory and Learning in Male CD-1 Mice Based on Different
Protein Diets Administered from in utero to Early
Postnatal Development
Jasmine Chambers
Department of Biological Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania
Photographed by: Eyitemi Opuogen
INTRODUCTION
•
METHODS
•
A proper protein diet is essential during
the early stages of life for brain
development.
Not consuming enough protein can affect
cognitive function, including spatial
learning and memory (Bonatto et al.
2005).
Previous studies have focused on protein
malnutrition (Bonatto et al, 2005; Wang
and Xu, 2007; Fukuda et al, 2002), but
there is little research on how a high
protein diet can affect brain
development.
This study examined how protein affects
early development by feeding. pregnant
mice a low (8%), normal (20%), or high
(40%) protein diet during pregnancy and
through lactation.
Pups were tested using a Barnes maze for
learning retention.
•
•
•
•
CONCLUSIONS
Obtain pregnant
mice
•
•
8% diet
(n = 2)
20% diet
(n = 2)
40% diet
(n = 2)
•
Gestation & birth
•
Wean pups
(20% diet)
FUTURE STUDIES
Only test males
from each group
N=5
(low group)
OBJECTIVES
N=9
(control group)
•
•
•
N = 12
(high group)
• Bonatto, F., Polydoro, M., Andrades, M.E., Frota Junio, M.,
Dal-Pizzol, F., Rotta, L.N., Souza, D.O., Perry, M.L, and Moreia,
J. 2005. Effects of protein malnutrition on redox state of the
hippocampus of rat. Brain Research 1042: 17-22.
• Fukuda, M., Francolin-Silva, A.L., and Almeida, S.S. 2002.
Early postnatal protein malnutrition affects learning and
memory in the distal but not in the proximal cue version of
the Morris water maze. Behavioral Brain Research 133: 271277.
• Rotta, L. N., Leszczinski, D. N., Brusque, A. M., Pereira, P.,
Brum, L. F. S., Nogueira, C. W., Frizzo, M. E. S., Perry, M. L. S.,
Souza, D. O. 2008. Effects of undernutrition on glutamatergic
parameters in the cerebral cortex of young rats. Physiology &
Behavior 94: 580-585.
• Wang, L. and Xu, R-J. 2007. The effects of perinatal protein
malnutrition on spatial learning and memory behavior and
brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration in the brain
tissue in young rats. Journal of Clinical Nutrition 16: 467-472.
RESULTS
8%
150
8%
25
20%
20%
40%
40%
N u m b e r o f E rro rs
20
100
50
Start with more pregnant mice to ensure larger
sample sizes
Longer training phases and/or more trials
Also test non-spatial learning (e.g. Rotarod) to
measure neuronal development
LITERATURE CITED
Test on Barnes
maze
1) Examine the effects of different protein diets on
memory in male mice
2) Compare diets and decipher if one diet is better for
learning retention
E la p s e d T im e (s )
Memory and learning seemed to improve for
each diet group (smaller elapsed times)
However, one diet does not appear to be
superior over the others
There was a least one mouse from each diet
group that failed to find the escape box
throughout training
There is currently no set protocol to be used for
the Barnes maze; could be responsible for
contradicting results
An accepted protocol may come as the Barnes
maze gains popularity in research
15
10
5
0
1
2
3
4
11
0
D ay
1
2
3
4
11
D ay
F ig u r e 1 . M e a n ( a n d S E M ) o f e la p s e d tim e fo r m a le m ic e fe d a n 8 %
d ie t ( n = 5 ) , 2 0 % d ie t ( n = 9 ) o r 4 0 % d ie t ( n = 1 2 ) o n e a c h te s t d a y .
D a y 1 1 r e p r e s e n ts th e p r o b e t r ia l. D if fe r e n c e s w e r e s e e n a c r o s s t h e
d a y s ( F 4 ,1 1 3 = 3 .3 7 4 , P = 0 . 0 1 2 0 ) b u t n o t a c r o s s t h e d ie ts
( F 2 ,1 1 3 = 0 .4 8 8 4 , P = 0 . 6 1 4 9 ) . A T u k e y p o s t - h o c in d ic a t e d th a t m e a n
e la p s e d tim e s w e r e s ig n ific a n tly d if fe r e n t b e t w e e n d a y 1 a n d d a y 3 fo r
t h e 2 0 % d ie t g ro u p .
F ig u re 2 . M e a n (a n d S E M ) o f th e n u m b e r o f e rro rs fo r m a le m ic e fe d a n 8 % d ie t
( n = 5 ), 2 0 % d ie t ( n = 9 ), o r 4 0 % d ie t (n = 1 2 ). D a y 1 1 re p re s e n ts th e p ro b e tria l.
N o d iffe re n c e s w e r e s e e n a c ro s s th e te s t d a y s (F 4 ,1 1 3 = 0 .6 5 2 8 , P = 0 .6 2 6 1 ) o r
a c r o s s th e d ie ts (F 2 ,1 1 3 = 1 .1 0 3 , P = 0 .3 6 6 5 ).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Dr. Rehnberg for his guidance and
support throughout my research, Dr. Hagerty for
statistical help, and Joan Carpenter for taking care of my
mice when I was unable.