Sex chromosome complement influences communicative behavior in the valproic acid animal model of autism spectrum disorder

CRAVERO, L.; CAMBIASSO, M.J.

Carlos Paz, Cordoba

Congreso; XXXIV Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN); 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN)

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by persistent deficits in social communication, restricted interest and repetitive behaviours. Given the strong impact of sex on ASD prevalence (4:1 male-to-female ratio), we wonder if the sex chromosome complement modulates the communicative behavior in a valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD related phenotype in mice. To this end, we used the ?four core genotypes? (FCG) mouse model, in which the effect of gonadal sex and sex chromosome complement is dissociated, to determine if sex chromosomes influence the pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) induced by maternal-separation. Pregnant mice of the FCG received a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (500 mg/kg) on gestational day 12.5. During the early postnatal development (PN6-PN12), the USV were recorded in the sound-attenuating chambers for 4 min using a vocalization detector. The total number of USVs emitted in the range 45-100 kHz were analysed by Kruscal Wallis test. The results demonstrated that USVs decreased with development in all groups (p