The effects of prenatal exposure to valproic acid on the initial development of serotonergic neurons

In utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA) may cause symptoms related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). An abnormal serotonergic (5-HT) system has been implicated in the etiology of ASD. In the present study, we have examined the expression and distribution of two early inducers of 5-HT neurons in rat embryos, to elucidate the prenatal development of 5-HT neurons after VPA exposure at embryonic day (E) 9.5. Whole-embryo in situ hybridization at E11.5 showed that the expression of sonic hedgehog, one of the early inducers of 5-HT neurons, was reduced around the isthmus in the VPA-exposed group. Furthermore, whole-mount immunohistochemistry of the hindbrain and quantitative analysis of 5-HT neurons in the rostral raphe nucleus (rRN) revealed that neuronal distribution in the caudal part of the rRN was narrower at E15.5 in the VPA-exposed group than in controls. Thus, the early development of 5-HT neurons was altered after VPA exposure in utero. The observed prenatal alteration may be significant in the etiology of autism.

► We examined 5-HT neurons in a model of autism based on prenatal VPA exposure.
► Prenatal VPA exposure attenuated the expression of Shh at E11.5.
► The distribution of 5-HT neurons at E15.5 was altered.
► The expansion of caudal 5-HT neurons was suppressed.
► These prenatal alterations might contribute to the etiology of autism.