Effect of antenatal dexamethasone treatment on the volume (A, B) and total number of neurons (C, D) of the hippocampus.

<p>Data are presented as mean ± SD. Panel A and C show a significant decrease in volume of the CA at P5 and P10 and in total number of neurons in the CA area at E18 until P10 and an increase of number of neurons in the CA of the dex-treated group at adulthood. Panel B shows an increase in volume of the DG of the dex-treated group at P10. Panel D shows a significant increase in total number of neurons in the DG of the dex-treated group at P10 and P20. Sal: saline-treatment (n = 8), dex: dexamethasone-treatment (n = 8). * p<0.05 (Two-Way ANOVA+Bonferroni).</p

Effect of antenatal dexamethasone treatment on the total number of proliferative cells in the subgranular zone of the DG.

<p>Data are presented as mean ± SD. At E18 and P0, the number of proliferative cells is decreased in the dex-treated group, while an increase is observed at P5 and P10. At the adult stage the number of proliferative cells are decreased in the dex-treated group. Sal: saline-treatment (n = 8), dex: dexamethasone-treatment (n = 8), * p<0.05 (Two-Way ANOVA+Bonferroni).</p

Summary of the effects of antenatal dex treatment on proliferation and apoptosis in the DG during hippocampal development.

<p>The results of the dex treated groups are presented as percentage of the control (100%).</p

Effect of antenatal dexamethasone treatment on the total number of apoptotic cells in the pyramidal cell layer in the CA (A) and in the granule cell layer of the DG (B).

<p>Data are presented as mean ± SD. Apoptosis is significantly increased in the dex-treated group in both the CA area (E16, E18 and P0) and the DG (E18 and P0). Sal: saline-treatment (n = 8), dex: dexamethasone-treatment (n = 8), * p<0.05 (Two-Way ANOVA+Bonferroni).</p