Histological maturation of astroglial cells in the archicortex of early malnourished rats

Abstract

The maturation of fibrous astrocytes was studied in the archicortex (hippocampus) of rats subjected to early postnatal malnutrition. A decrease in the number of protoplasmic processes and end-feet in fibrous astrocytes from the cortical molecular layer was observed. In animals refed after weaning the number of protoplasmic processes returned to normal while that of end-feet remained unchanged. The diameter of the perikaryon was reduced. It is postulated that early malnutrition, induced immediately after birth, impairs differentiation of astroglia in the archicortex of the rat brain, probably as a response secondary to altered neuronal and capillary development. Speculation: The effect of early postnatal malnutrition is most severe in structures of the central nervous system which have the highest rates of growth and differentiation. Important, and sometimes lifelong, changes in brain structure and composition including neuronal damage have been demonstrated. This study indicates that a