Effects of isoflurane inhalation during gestation period on plasticity of hippocampal synapses in offspring rats

Objective To investigate the effect of isoflurane inhalation during gestation period on plasticity of hippo-campal synapses in offspring rats. Methods Ten healthy pregnant SD rats at 14 day gestation were randomly divided into 2 gorups ( n = 5 each): control group (group C) and isoflurane group (group I). The rats in group C were mechanically ventilated with O2 while in group I the rats inhaled 1.3% isoflurane in O2 for 2 h a day until labor. Four weeks after birth 4 offspring rats from each pregnant rats (2 male, 2 female) were tested for learning and memory abilities using Morris water maze. Then the offspring rats were sacrificed and hippocampi isolated. The synaptic structure of hippocampal CA1 area was examined by trans-electron microscopy. Results Morris water maze test showed that the escape latency was significantly shorter and the number of times of spanning flat roof greater in group C than in group I. The structure of hippocampus was intact in group C but incomplete in group I. Meanwhile the thickness of synaptic density was significantly decreased in group I. Conclusion Isoflurane anesthesia of pregnant rats may induce learning and memory disabilities in offspring rats by inhibiting the plasticity of synaptic structure in hippocampus. Key words: Pregnancy;  Isoflurane;  Hippocampus;  Synapses;  Neuronal plasticity