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Gender Differences and Lateralization in the Distribution Pattern of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor in Developing Rat Hippocampus: An Immunohistochemical Study

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Abstract

Numerous investigators have provided data supporting essential roles for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in development of the brain. The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically determine the distinct regional distribution pattern of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-IR) expression in various portions of newborn rat hippocampus on postnatal days 0 (P0), 7 (P7), and 14 (P14), with comparison between male/female and right/left hippocampi. We found an overall significant increase in distribution of IGF-IR-positive (IGF-IR+) cells in CA1 from P0 until P14. Although, no marked changes in distribution of IGF-IR+ cells in areas CA2 and CA3 were observed; IGF-IR+ cells in DG decreased until P14. The smallest number of immunoreactive cells was present in CA2 and the highest number in DG at P0. Moreover, in CA1, CA3, and DG, the number of IGF-IR+ cells was markedly higher in both sides of the hippocampus in females. Our data also showed a higher mean number of IGF-IR+ cells in the left hippocampus of female at P7. By contrast, male pups showed a significantly higher number of IGF-IR+ cells in the DG of the right hippocampus. At P14, the mean number of immunoreactive cells in CA1, CA3, and DG areas found to be significantly increased in left side of hippocampus of males, compared to females. These results indicate the existence of a differential distribution pattern of IGF-IR between left–right and male–female hippocampi. Together with other mechanisms, these differences may underlie sexual dimorphism and left–right asymmetry in the hippocampus.

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Acknowledgments

This paper is based on the results of Javad Hami Ph.D. thesis (No. A-299) which was financially supported by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) Grant (No. 88463).

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The authors have no financial or nonfinancial conflicts of interest to declare.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran

    Javad Hami

  2. Hazrat Rasoul Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Hamed Kheradmand

  3. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS), Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Haghir

  4. Medical Genetic Research Center (MGRC), School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Hossein Haghir

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Hami, J., Kheradmand, H. & Haghir, H. Gender Differences and Lateralization in the Distribution Pattern of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor in Developing Rat Hippocampus: An Immunohistochemical Study. Cell Mol Neurobiol 34, 215–226 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-013-0005-x

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