Detection of Free T4 in Cerebrospinal Fluid Predicts Autism-like Behaviors in Offspring Rats Induced by Hypothyroidism during Pregnancy
10.13471/j.cnki.j.sun.yat-sen.univ（med.sci）.2025.0613
- VernacularTitle:检测脑脊液游离四碘甲状腺原氨酸预测孕期甲状腺功能减退诱导的子代大鼠自闭样行为
- Author:
Lifang LI
1
;
Jiaqi ZHANG
1
;
Junhua YANG
1
;
Yuxin MA
1
;
Guoying LI
1
Author Information
1. Department of Human Anatomy， Histology and Embryology， School of Basic Medical Sciences， Guangdong Pharmaceutical University， Guangzhou 510006， China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
hypothyroidism;
autism;
cerebrospinal fluid;
free thyroxine;
predictive indicator
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2025;46(6):1029-1040
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential value of thyroid hormones in cerebrospinal fluid in predicting autism-like behaviors induced by hypothyroidism in pregnant rats. MethodsTwelve pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group and a hypothyroidism group （hypothyroidism model group）. Offspring from both groups had serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， total triiodothyronine （TT3）， total thyroxine （TT4）， free triiodothyronine （FT3）， and free thyroxine （FT4） levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Ultrasonic vocalization tests were conducted on postnatal day 2 （P2）， day 7 （P7）， and day 14 （P14）， while behavioral tests using the three-box social interaction test were performed on day 21（P21）. ResultsCompared with the control group， free T4 （FT4） levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of the hypothyroidism group were significantly reduced during the developmental period （P0-P21； P2： P<0.05； P7： P<0.05； P14： P<0.01； P21： P<0.01）， with no statistical difference between the two groups only at P0 （P>0.05）. In the ultrasonic vocalization （USV） tests， the number and duration of USVs in offsprings from the hypothyroidism group were significantly reduced compared with those of the control group on P2， P7 and P14： for USV counts （P2： P<0.05； P7： P<0.001； P14： P<0.01）； for USV duration （P2： P<0.05； P7： P<0.001； P14： P<0.001）. In the three-box social tests， offsprings of the hypothyroidism group showed significantly reduced sniffing time with unfamiliar rats at P21 compared to the control group （all P<0.001）. The FT4 levels in cerebrospinal fluid had a significantly positive correlation with USV counts （P7： r=0.883， P<0.05； P14： r=0.902， P<0.05） and sniffing time with unfamiliar rats （r=0.814， P<0.01）. ConclusionMeasuring free T4 in cerebrospinal fluid can predict autism-like behaviors in offsprings of rats induced by hypothyroidism during pregnancy.
