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dc.contributor.advisorWill, Matthew J.eng
dc.contributor.authorJones, Karen Lindsayeng
dc.date.issued2012eng
dc.date.submitted2012 Falleng
dc.descriptionTitle from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on March 11, 2013).eng
dc.descriptionThe entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.eng
dc.descriptionDissertation advisor: Dr. Matthew J. Willeng
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references.eng
dc.descriptionVita.eng
dc.descriptionPh. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2012.eng
dc.description"December 2012"eng
dc.description.abstract[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] While the etiology of autism spectrum disorders is unknown, it is thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contribute to the disorder. In the present study, we aim to assess the role of prenatal stress, stress-susceptible maternal genotype, and perinatal diets varying in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition on potential autistic-like behaviors in mice. Pregnant C57BL/6J and serotonin transporter heterozygous dams were subjected to either chronic variable stress or no stress, beginning on gestational day 6 until offspring were born. Each group was further divided into those receiving one of three diets beginning 2 weeks before breeding and lasting until offspring were weaned: control diet, diet low in omega-3 PUFAs, or diet rich in DHA, an omega-3 PUFA. Offspring were tested for differing levels of social communication, social interaction, anxiety, and locomotor functioning. Additionally, brain tissue and plasma were collected for subsequent fatty acid and immune assay analyses. Results indicate offspring exposed to the low omega-3 diet display autistic-like sociability deficits. Similarly, prenatally stressed offspring of stress-susceptible dams displayed autistic-like sociability deficits as well as increased anxiety-like behavior. Interestingly, a diet rich in DHA during the perinatal period ameliorated the sociability deficits in prenatally stressed offspring of stress-susceptible dams. These results suggest that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to an autistic-like phenotype in mice; however, the mechanism of action is yet to be determined.eng
dc.description.bibrefIncludes bibliographical references.eng
dc.format.extentix, 76 pageseng
dc.identifier.oclc872569520eng
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.32469/10355/33184eng
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10355/33184
dc.languageEnglisheng
dc.publisherUniversity of Missouri--Columbiaeng
dc.relation.ispartofcommunityUniversity of Missouri--Columbia. Graduate School. Theses and Dissertationseng
dc.rightsAccess is limited to the campuses of the University of Missouri.eng
dc.subjectautism spectrum disorderseng
dc.subjectprenatal stresseng
dc.subjectmaternal genotypeeng
dc.subjectperinatal dieteng
dc.subjectpolyunsaturated fatty acideng
dc.titleThe effect of maternal genotype, prenatal stress, and perinatal diet in offspring behavior in an animal model of autismeng
dc.typeThesiseng
thesis.degree.disciplineNeuroscience (MU)eng
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Missouri--Columbiaeng
thesis.degree.levelDoctoraleng
thesis.degree.namePh. D.eng


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