Abstract 360 Poster Session II, Sunday, 5/2 (poster 60)

Introduction: The mechanisms underlying the transition from a fetal asleep to a neonatal aroused state are not known, but it has been assumed that part of this transition could be mediated by changes in gene expression patterns in the brain. We have previously shown that c-fos mRNA is up-regulated transiently after birth in neocortex, midbrain and pons-medulla. A maximum is seen 30 minutes after vaginal delivery or cesarean sectioning. In the present study we use the expression of c-fos mRNA as a marker of neuronal activity to investigate the brain activity around the time of birth and after exposure to asphyxia, which often occurs in relation to birth and may play a role in gene expression. Catecholamines are important neuromodulators. The noradrenergic system of the brain is activated immediately after birth, as indicated by sudden increased noradrenaline turnover. We therefore chose to investigate whether this birth-triggered noradrenaline surge is involved in c-fos expression, and how it is affected by asphyxia.

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