The effects of developmental Deltamethrin exposure on glutamate and dopamine receptor expression in rats

Abstract

By Nandini Patel, Biological Sciences

Advisor: Emily Pitzer

Presentation ID: AM_ATRIUM05

Abstract: Pyrethroids, like deltamethrin (DLM), are synthetic insecticides which studies have found to be associated with neurological and developmental disorders in young children. Pyrethroids have also been associated with altering the release of neurotransmitters and prolonging the opening of voltage gated ion channels leading to prolonged depolarization or even a firing block. Long-term impacts following developmental exposure to pyrethroids have not received much attention. The male and female offspring of Sprague-Dawley rats were administered with 0 or 1mg/kg DLM in corn oil by gavage from postnatal day (P) 3-20 (2/treatment/sex/litter). Using Western Blot analysis we examined the changes in protein levels of glutamate and dopamine receptors. We observed increased dopamine D1 receptor levels within the striatum of male rats developmentally treated with DLM, females are currently being assessed. Also, we saw that the glutamate receptor NMDA-NR2A levels were decreased within the striatum of male rats, whereas females treated with DLM showed no difference compared with controls. Overall we observe long term changes in glutamate and dopamine receptor expression within the striatum of male rats developmentally exposed to DLM. This study is ongoing.