Fig. 3
Expression of key molecules of dopaminergic transmission in non-challenged rats. a D1R mRNA expression in the accumbens nucleus decreased significantly in the medial shell in PR rats. b D2R mRNA expression did not change significantly. c D1R protein expression. There was an intense labeling by immunohistochemistry in the striatum and the accumbens nucleus compared to the cortex (left, top). No signal was detected in sections when the primary antibody was omitted (left, bottom). Scale: 250 µm. Right: Intensity measurements of immunostainings confirmed the reduced D1R protein expression in the medial shell in PR rats. There was no significant difference in the core. d Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase precursor mRNA in ventral tegmental area (VTA). Left, top: A diagram adopted from the Atlas of Paxinos and Watson [24] illustrating a sampling frontal section level of 5.04 mm caudal from Bregma. At this level TH is expressed in the VTA (black) and the substantia nigra (gray). Left bottom: Autoradiographic image of a section from the corresponding level, showing intense precursor TH mRNA expession according to the labeled areas above. Only a background is seen in the other parts of the section. Optical density measurements in the VTA showed that TH gene expression was unaffected by prenatal nutritional conditions. Data are expressed as means ± SEM, n = 6, *p < 0.05 vs. controls. ac anterior commissure, cx cortex, mShell medial shell, PR intrauterine protein-restricted, st striatum, TH tyrosine hydroxylase
