Research Article

Neurobehavioral effects of maternal triphenyl phosphite exposure: A comparative experimental study using the valproic acid model

Volume: 64 Number: 2 June 10, 2025
TR EN

Neurobehavioral effects of maternal triphenyl phosphite exposure: A comparative experimental study using the valproic acid model

Abstract

Aim: Neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by impairments in one or more developmental domains originating in the embryonic period and persisting throughout life. Autism, experimentally induced by valproic acid (VPA) in animal models, is a neurodevelopmental disorder. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of maternal exposure to triphenyl phosphite (TPP), a neurotoxic organophosphorus compound, and VPA in terms of neurobehavioral alterations. Materials and Methods: Pregnant rats were randomly assigned to three groups: VPA (n=3), TPP (n=3), and control (n=3). Each group received an intraperitoneal injection of either VPA, TPP, or saline (for the control group) on embryonic day 12.5. Male offspring (n=10 per group) were evaluated on postnatal days 33–34 using the Marble Burying Test and the Three-Chambered Social Interaction Test. Animals were perfused on postnatal day 35 for immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis. Results: TPP group exhibited a significant increase in marble burying behavior (p<0.05). Also, Three-Chamber Social Interaction Test revealed significant impairments in social interaction in the VPA and TPP groups compared to the control (p<0.05). Histologic evaluation revealed higher nestin-positive cell density in the subgranular zone of the control group compared to VPA and TPP groups (p<0.05). Synaptophysin expression in the CA3 region was higher in the control group than in the VPA and TPP groups (p<0.05). Connexin-43 expression increased in the CA1 region of the TPP group compared to controls (p<0.05), while no significant change was observed in the VPA group. Conclusion: Maternal TPP exposure may be regarded as a risk factor for autism-related neurodevelopmental disorders.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This work was supported by the Scientific Research Project Coordination of Ege University, İzmir, TURKEY

Project Number

18-SBE-003

Ethical Statement

Approval of the experimental protocol was granted by the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments affiliated with Ege University (Approval No: 2017-081).

Thanks

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP) of Ege University, İzmir, Turkey.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cellular Nervous System , Central Nervous System , Neurosciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 10, 2025

Submission Date

April 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 14, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 64 Number: 2

Vancouver
1.Petek Bilim, Kübra Çelik, Gurur Garip, Ahmet Giray Yardımcı, Buket Şura Yardımcı, Meral Baka. Neurobehavioral effects of maternal triphenyl phosphite exposure: A comparative experimental study using the valproic acid model. EJM. 2025 Jun. 1;64(2):381-9. doi:10.19161/etd.1686034

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