Adult Pgf(−/−) mice behaviour and neuroanatomy are altered by neonatal treatment with recombinant placental growth factor

Offspring of preeclamptic pregnancies have cognitive alterations. Placental growth factor (PGF), is low in preeclampsia; reduced levels may affect brain development. PGF-null mice differ from normal congenic controls in cerebrovasculature, neuroanatomy and behavior. Using brain imaging and behavioral testing, we asked whether developmentally asynchronous (i.e. neonatal) PGF supplementation alters the vascular, neuroanatomic and/or behavioral status of Pgf(−/−) mice at adulthood. C57BL/6-Pgf(−/−) pups were treated intraperitoneally on postnatal days 1–10 with vehicle or PGF at 10 pg/g, 70 pg/g or 700 pg/g. These mice underwent behavioral testing and perfusion for MRI and analysis of retinal vasculature. A second cohort of vehicle- or PGF-treated mice was perfused for micro-CT imaging. 10 pg/g PGF-treated mice exhibited less locomotor activity and greater anxiety-like behavior relative to vehicle-treated mice. Depressive-like behavior showed a sex-specific, dose-dependent decrease and was lowest in 700 pg/g PGF-treated females relative to vehicle-treated females. Spatial learning did not differ. MRI revealed smaller volume of three structures in the 10 pg/g group, larger volume of seven structures in the 70 pg/g group and smaller volume of one structure in the 700 pg/g group. No cerebral or retinal vascular differences were detected. Overall, neonatal PGF replacement altered behavior and neuroanatomy of adult Pgf(−/−) mice.