Fig. 3: Neuroanatomical and neurochemical alterations in the dopaminergic system of the F2 and F3- HFD offspring.

Immunoreactivities of TH, DAT and D2R in dSTR and Nac (core and shell) were measured by densitometry and TH positive neurons were calculated in the VTA and SN by stereology. Levels of DA were measured in post-mortem brain tissue using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). a–d Expression of TH in the striatal regions, mPFC, VTA, and SN of the F2 and F3 offspring respectively. e, f Display DAT immunoreactivity in the dSTR, Nac (core and shell) and mPFC of F2 and F3 offspring respectively. g, h Represent the expression of D1R in the F2 and F3 offspring respectively. i, j Depict the levels of D2R in the dSTR, Nac (core and shell) and mPFC of F2 and F3 offspring respectively. k–v representative images of coronal brain sections of F2 and F3 offspring for the expression of TH in the VTA, DAT and D2R in Nac core and shell. w, x Display the levels of DA in the dSTR, Nac and VTA of F2 and F3 offspring, respectively. The inlet graphs in f, g, i, and j display a larger representation of the mPFC since DAT, D1R, and D2R expression are lower in this brain region. The content of monoamine is expressed as ng per mg fresh tissue weight. Data are represented as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.001, ***p < 0.0001. N (F2 CTR) = 16 (8 m, 8 f); N (F2 HFD) = 16 (8 m, 8 f); N (F3 CTR) = 18 (9 m, 9 f); N (F3 HFD) = 18 (9 m, 9 f) for immunohistochemistry. N (F2) = 20 (10 m, 10 f) per group; N (F3) = 18 (9 m, 9 f) per group for HPLC. TH, tyrosine hydroxylase, DAT, dopamine transporter, D2R, dopamine receptor 2, DA, dopamine, dSTR, dorsal striatum, Nac, nucleus accumbens, VTA, ventral tegmental area, SN, substantia nigra, mPFC, medial prefrontal cortex. m, male, f, female