Effects of maternal progesterone therapy on fetal rat brain

Objective: To study any possible effects of maternal progesterone therapy on important proteins and receptors in fetal brain tissue of rats. Materials and Methods: Fifteen female Speaque-Dawley rats were used in this study, which were divided in three groups. 17-α-OH progesterone caproat 7mg/kg, i.m. was applied once a week to Group A, from first day of pregnancy. mikronize progesteron 4mg/kg p.o. was daily applied to Group B, from first day of pregnancy. Group C was control group and olive oil was given daily from first day of pregnancy. After 21 days pregnancy period, 152 newborn rats were born by vaginal birth. 60 of them, including 4 from each mother, were taken study and decapitated from first day of their birth. Their brain tissues were obtained and ER, PR, MBP, PLP, OLIG2, PDGFR were studied by immunohistochemistry. Results: Groups A and B had significantly more expression of ER, MBP, PLP, OLIG2; and less expression of PDGFR; compared to Group C. None of the groups had PR expression. Discussion: There are very few studies concerning the effect of maternal progesteron therapy on fetal organ systems. Our study revealed significant effects of progesterone therapy on fetal brain receptors and proteins, which have particular roles on embryogenesis and brain tissue development. In the light of these results, long term effects of maternal progesterone therapy on fetus remains to be studied; including possible effects on metabolism, cognitive functions, sexual behaviour, neuron migration and differentiation and increased myelination. Conclusion: Maternal progesterone therapy causes statistically significant changes on expressions of several proteins and receptors in brain, which have important roles in central nervous system development.