Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats
Abstract Background Estrogen deficiency is linked to changes in several physiological processes, but the extent to which it associates with cognitive changes in menopause context is controversial. Rationale We evaluated the impact of ovariectomy on memory processes and normal exploratory behavior in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2018-07-01
|
| Series: | Behavioral and Brain Functions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12993-018-0146-7 |
| _version_ | 1818261390698217472 |
|---|---|
| author | Sefirin Djiogue Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda Paul Faustin Seke Etet Germain Jean Magloire Ketcha Wanda Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah Dieudonne Njamen |
| author_facet | Sefirin Djiogue Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda Paul Faustin Seke Etet Germain Jean Magloire Ketcha Wanda Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah Dieudonne Njamen |
| author_sort | Sefirin Djiogue |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Estrogen deficiency is linked to changes in several physiological processes, but the extent to which it associates with cognitive changes in menopause context is controversial. Rationale We evaluated the impact of ovariectomy on memory processes and normal exploratory behavior in Wistar rats. Methods Young adult rats (4–6 months) were either ovariectomized (OVX group) (N = 10), sham operated (N = 10), or untouched (naïve controls) (N = 8). Afterwards, they were monitored for 12 weeks during which their cognitive functions were evaluated at first week (S1), second (S2), every 3 weeks (S5, S8) and then at week 12 (S12) using: (i) object recognition test to evaluate the short-term and long-term non-spatial memory; (ii) the object placement test to assess the spatial memory; and (iii) normal exploratory behavior components like locomotor and vertical activities in an open field arena. Results Marked changes in ovariectomized rats were observed in long-term non-spatial memory (~ 40% change vs. naïve and sham, P < 0.001) and spatial memory (~ 30% change, P < 0.05) from S2. Instead, from S5 the exploratory behavior was affected, with decreases in line crossing and rearing episode numbers (~ 40% change, P < 0.01), and in the time spent in the center of open field arena (~ 60% change, P < 0.01). Conclusions Our findings support the involvement of sex hormones in cognitive functions in female rats and suggest that controversy on the importance of cognitive affections in menopause context may emerge from differences between short-term and long-term memory processes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T18:46:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c7ad667a5dfc4ec8a02fd1f796c1449f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1744-9081 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T18:46:28Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral and Brain Functions |
| spelling | doaj.art-c7ad667a5dfc4ec8a02fd1f796c1449f2022-12-22T00:15:30ZengBMCBehavioral and Brain Functions1744-90812018-07-011411810.1186/s12993-018-0146-7Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar ratsSefirin Djiogue0Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda1Paul Faustin Seke Etet2Germain Jean Magloire Ketcha Wanda3Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah4Dieudonne Njamen5Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde ILaboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde ICenter for Sustainable Health and Development, University of NgaoundereDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Letters and Social Science, University of Yaounde ILaboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde ILaboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde IAbstract Background Estrogen deficiency is linked to changes in several physiological processes, but the extent to which it associates with cognitive changes in menopause context is controversial. Rationale We evaluated the impact of ovariectomy on memory processes and normal exploratory behavior in Wistar rats. Methods Young adult rats (4–6 months) were either ovariectomized (OVX group) (N = 10), sham operated (N = 10), or untouched (naïve controls) (N = 8). Afterwards, they were monitored for 12 weeks during which their cognitive functions were evaluated at first week (S1), second (S2), every 3 weeks (S5, S8) and then at week 12 (S12) using: (i) object recognition test to evaluate the short-term and long-term non-spatial memory; (ii) the object placement test to assess the spatial memory; and (iii) normal exploratory behavior components like locomotor and vertical activities in an open field arena. Results Marked changes in ovariectomized rats were observed in long-term non-spatial memory (~ 40% change vs. naïve and sham, P < 0.001) and spatial memory (~ 30% change, P < 0.05) from S2. Instead, from S5 the exploratory behavior was affected, with decreases in line crossing and rearing episode numbers (~ 40% change, P < 0.01), and in the time spent in the center of open field arena (~ 60% change, P < 0.01). Conclusions Our findings support the involvement of sex hormones in cognitive functions in female rats and suggest that controversy on the importance of cognitive affections in menopause context may emerge from differences between short-term and long-term memory processes.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12993-018-0146-7OvariectomyMemoryObject recognitionSpatial memoryOvarian hormonesWistar rats |
| spellingShingle | Sefirin Djiogue Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda Paul Faustin Seke Etet Germain Jean Magloire Ketcha Wanda Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah Dieudonne Njamen Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats Behavioral and Brain Functions Ovariectomy Memory Object recognition Spatial memory Ovarian hormones Wistar rats |
| title | Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats |
| title_full | Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats |
| title_fullStr | Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats |
| title_short | Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats |
| title_sort | memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized wistar rats |
| topic | Ovariectomy Memory Object recognition Spatial memory Ovarian hormones Wistar rats |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12993-018-0146-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sefirindjiogue memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats AT armandoblondeldjiyoudjeuda memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats AT paulfaustinsekeetet memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats AT germainjeanmagloireketchawanda memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats AT rudignikanordjikemtadah memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats AT dieudonnenjamen memoryandexploratorybehaviorimpairmentinovariectomizedwistarrats |