Increased dendritic length in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal neurons during the metestrus phase in Wistar rats.

This study analyzed the dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons CA1 and CA3 of the dorsal hippocampus in each phase of the estrous cycle. We used the Golgi-Cox staining method and Sholl analysis to evaluate the dendritic length and density of dendritic spines. Our results showed that the dendritic length of the basilar and apical trees of CA1 neurons was longer in the metestrus phase. In CA3 neurons, only the apical dendritic trees showed longer dendritic length during metestrus. There was no variation in the density of dendritic spines in relation to any of the phases of the estrous cycle. Taken together, these results indicated that pyramidal neurons of the CA1 and CA3 regions of the dorsal hippocampus in the Wistar rat exhibited changes in dendritic length in the metestrus phase of the estrous cycle. Together, these data are important when considering the use of these organisms in behavioral studies.
PMID: 29337045 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Brain Research - January 11, 2018 Category: Neurology Authors: Mendoza AL, Durán DAB, Silva Gómez AB Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research