Maternal oxytocin triggers a transient inhibitory switch in GABA signaling in the fetal brain during delivery |
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Authors: | Tyzio Roman Cossart Rosa Khalilov Ilgam Minlebaev Marat Hübner Christian A Represa Alfonso Ben-Ari Yehezkel Khazipov Rustem |
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Institution: | Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée, INSERM U29, Université de la Méditerranée, Campus Scientifique de Luminy, Boite Postale 13, 13273 Marseille Cedex 09, France. |
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Abstract: | We report a signaling mechanism in rats between mother and fetus aimed at preparing fetal neurons for delivery. In immature neurons, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter. We found that, shortly before delivery, there is a transient reduction in the intracellular chloride concentration and an excitatory-to-inhibitory switch of GABA actions. These events were triggered by oxytocin, an essential maternal hormone for labor. In vivo administration of an oxytocin receptor antagonist before delivery prevented the switch of GABA actions in fetal neurons and aggravated the severity of anoxic episodes. Thus, maternal oxytocin inhibits fetal neurons and increases their resistance to insults during delivery. |
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