Postnatal stress exposure impairs visual function in adult mice

JUAN SALVADOR CALANNI; DAMIÁN DORFMAN; MARÍA FLORENCIA GONZÁLEZ FLEITAS; HERNÁN DIEGUEZ; RUTH E. ROSENSTEIN

Congreso; XXXIV Reunión Anual de la SAN; 2019

The early postnatal period is characterized by extensive neuronal plasticity, synaptic organization, and remodeling. High neuroplasticity renders the brain sensitive to the remodeling effects induced by environmental factors, such as exposure to adversity. Long-lasting effects of early life stress (ELS) have been intensively studied in central areas of the brain, but ELS influence on vision remains to be explored. Our aim was to assess ELS effects on visual function in adult mice. For that purpose, newborn C57BL/6J mice were exposed to maternal separation during lactation and were weaned at postnatal day 17 (MSEW). Visual function was evaluated in adult mice by electrophysiological and behavioraltests. MSEW-exposed pups showed less body weight and opened eyes after control pups. MSEW-exposed mice showed a lower negative scotopic threshold responseand photopic negative response compared to control mice, suggesting a diminished function of the inner retina. Visual acuity was evaluated through a looming test with varying intensity stimuli. MSEW animals needed higher intensities of the looming stimulus to respond similarly to control animals, suggesting a lower visual acuity. Finally, MSEW animals showed less side preference in a cliff avoidance test when compared to control animals, suggesting impaired depth perception. Altogether, our data indicate that ELS may be detrimental to visual function in adult mice.