This research project was supported by Award Number R21AA017735 (Y.S.) from the National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. The content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism or the National Institutes of Health. The author would also like to thank Charisse Montgomery for editing this manuscript.

1. Animals Breeding and Trophic Peptide Treatment
<ol>
	<li>Breed C57BL/mice by placing the female mice (~6 week old, average weight 20 g) into male home cages for 2 hr.</li>
	<li>Check for a sperm plug and/or vaginal smear immediately afterwards.</li>
	<li>If positive, designate this time point as embryonic day 0 (E0).</li>
	<li>On E7, weight-match pregnant females to control and treatment groups (3 groups) are assigned as described recently 4: 1) Alcohol (ethanol) liquid diet group (ALC); 2) pair-fed contr...

<ol>
	<li>Sari, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+neuroprotective+protein-derived+peptide,+NAP,+preventing+alcohol-induced+apoptosis+in+fetal+brain+of+C57BL/6+mouse.">Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein-derived peptide, NAP, preventing alcohol-induced apoptosis in fetal brain of C57BL/6 mouse.</a> Neuroscience. 158 (4), 1426-1435 (2009).</li><li>Sari, Y., Chiba, T., Yamada, M., Rebec, G. V., Aiso, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+peptide,+colivelin,+prevents+alcohol-induced+apoptosis+in+fetal+brain+of+C57BL/6+mice:+signaling+pathway+investigations.">A novel peptide, colivelin, prevents alcohol-induced apoptosis in fetal brain of C57BL/6 mice: signaling pathway investigations.</a> Neuroscience. 164 (4), 1653-1664 (2009).</li><li>Sari, Y., Hammad, L. A., Saleh, M. M., Rebec, G. V., Mechref, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Alteration+of+selective+neurotransmitters+in+fetal+brains+of+prenatally+alcohol-treated+C57BL/6+mice:+quantitative+analysis+using+liquid+chromatography/tandem+mass+spectrometry.">Alteration of selective neurotransmitters in fetal brains of prenatally alcohol-treated C57BL/6 mice: quantitative analysis using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.</a> Int. J. Dev. Neurosci. 28 (3), 263-269 (2010).</li><li>Sari, Y., Weedman, J. M., Ge, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+neurotrophic+factor-derived+peptide+prevents+alcohol-induced+apoptosis,+in+part,+through+Bcl2+and+c-Jun+N-terminal+kinase+signaling+pathways+in+fetal+brain+of+C57BL/6+mouse.">Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor-derived peptide prevents alcohol-induced apoptosis, in part, through Bcl2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathways in fetal brain of C57BL/6 mouse.</a> Neuroscience. 202, 465-473 (2012).</li><li>Sari, Y., Zhang, M., Mechref, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Differential+expression+of+proteins+in+fetal+brains+of+alcohol-treated+prenatally+C57BL/6+mice:+a+proteomic+investigation.">Differential expression of proteins in fetal brains of alcohol-treated prenatally C57BL/6 mice: a proteomic investigation.</a> Electrophoresis. 31, 1-14 (2010).</li><li>Bassan, M., Zamostiano, R., Davidson, A., Pinhasov, A., Giladi, E., Perl, O., Bassan, H., Blat, C., Gibney, G., Glazner, G., Brenneman, D. E., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Complete+sequence+of+a+novel+protein+containing+a+femtomolar-activity-dependent+neuroprotective+peptide.">Complete sequence of a novel protein containing a femtomolar-activity-dependent neuroprotective peptide.</a> J. Neurochem. 72 (3), 1283-1293 (1999).</li><li>Brenneman, D. E., Hauser, J., Neale, E., Rubinraut, S., Fridkin, M., Davidson, A., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Activity-dependent+neurotrophic+factor:+structure-activity+relationships+of+femtomolar-acting+peptides.">Activity-dependent neurotrophic factor: structure-activity relationships of femtomolar-acting peptides.</a> J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 285 (2), 619-627 (1998).</li><li>Spong, C. Y., Abebe, D. T., Gozes, I., Brenneman, D. E., Hill, J. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prevention+of+fetal+demise+and+growth+restriction+in+a+mouse+model+of+fetal+alcohol+syndrome.">Prevention of fetal demise and growth restriction in a mouse model of fetal alcohol syndrome.</a> J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 297 (2), 774-779 (2001).</li><li>Sari, Y., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Brain+deficits+associated+with+fetal+alcohol+exposure+may+be+protected,+in+part,+by+peptides+derived+from+activity-dependent+neurotrophic+factor+and+activity-dependent+neuroprotective+protein.">Brain deficits associated with fetal alcohol exposure may be protected, in part, by peptides derived from activity-dependent neurotrophic factor and activity-dependent neuroprotective protein.</a> Brain Res. Brain Res. Rev. 52 (1), 107-118 (2006).</li><li>Brenneman, D. E., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+femtomolar-acting+neuroprotective+peptide.">A femtomolar-acting neuroprotective peptide.</a> J. Clin. Invest. 97 (10), 2299-2307 (1996).</li><li>Zamostiano, R., Pinhasov, A., Gelber, E., Steingart, R. A., Seroussi, E., Giladi, E., Bassan, M., Wollman, Y., Eyre, H. J., Mulley, J. C., Brenneman, D. E., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cloning+and+characterization+of+the+human+activity-dependent+neuroprotective+protein.">Cloning and characterization of the human activity-dependent neuroprotective protein.</a> J. Biol. Chem. 276 (1), 708-714 (2001).</li><li>Offen, D., Sherki, Y., Melamed, E., Fridkin, M., Brenneman, D. E., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasoactive+intestinal+peptide+(VIP)+prevents+neurotoxicity+in+neuronal+cultures:+relevance+to+neuroprotection+in+Parkinson's+disease.">Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) prevents neurotoxicity in neuronal cultures: relevance to neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease.</a> Brain Res. 854 (1-2), 257-262 (2000).</li><li>Steingart, R. A., Solomon, B., Brenneman, D. E., Fridkin, M., Gozes, I. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=VIP+and+peptides+related+to+activity-dependent+neurotrophic+factor+protect+PC12+cells+against+oxidative+stress.">VIP and peptides related to activity-dependent neurotrophic factor protect PC12 cells against oxidative stress.</a> J. Mol. Neurosci. 15 (3), 137-145 (2000).</li></ol>

The methodology and technology presented in this study demonstrate the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol in fetal brains and the role of trophic peptides in the prevention of these effects. These may provide information on how to study other drugs of abuse or other toxic chemicals in fetal brains during different pregnancy stages.
In regards to the breeding paradigm, in some cases the detection of the sperm plug might not be observable. At this point, it is important to test the vaginal...

The goal of the experimental methods described here is to assess the neuroprotective effects of trophic peptides in a fetal alcohol exposure model using several techniques involving breeding, feeding, microdissecting, and detecting cell death. Work from our laboratory has involved a liquid diet mixed with alcohol as a model of moderate alcohol drinking, which might be similar to a human drinking paradigm in term of the amount of alcohol consumed 1-5. We and others have identified three peptide derivatives that are neuroprotective against the deleterious effects of fetal alcohol exposure. Studies investigating alcohol exposure during embryonic stages using animal models may lead to the identification of potential mechanisms of neuroprotection and allow for the development of intervention procedures. This may provide ample information about the neuroprotective effects and attenuation of the deleterious effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy.
Possible prevention of the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure may involve the treatment of pregnant mice with peptides that have been shown to be involved in neuroprotection in vitro 6,7 and in vivo 1,2,4,8,9. Among these peptides, SALLRSIPA, known as ADNF-9 or SAL, is derived from activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) 7,10. Another peptide with the sequence NAPVSIPQ peptide, termed NAP, derived from activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) 6,11, demonstrated a potent protective effect against oxidative stress associated with alcohol exposure 12,13. In addition, we have recently identified a new synthesized peptide, colivelin that appears to play a key neuroprotective role in the fetal alcohol exposure model 2. Colivelin is composed of ADNF-9 and AGA-(C8R)HNG17 (PAGASRLLLLTGEIDLP). The importance of the use of these peptides is that they have the capability to cross the brain-blood barrier to prevent the effects of alcohol-induced apoptosis and brain growth deficits.
The experimental methods used C57BL/6 mice for testing the neuroprotective effects against alcohol-induced apoptosis. We have adopted a 2-hr window instead of overnight breeding in order to accurately estimate the embryonic day 0 (E0), as it can be revealed by detection of a sperm plug and vaginal smear 1-5. We have used a liquid diet with feeding tubes, as this is considered free access instead of delivery of alcohol through gavage route, which may induce stress to pregnant mice. On the other hand, microdissection can be challenging due to the softness of the fetal brain tissue, which might be encountered when dissecting fetal brains at early embryonic stages. Here, we show visualized techniques to deal with all the challenges involving microdissection. Furthermore, since the fetal brain sectioning can also be challenging, we have adopted a technique that involves embedding the fetal brains in gelatin using peel-away embedding molds. We have been successful in cutting the fetal brains in free floating sections at 50 &mu;m thickness. This allows us to investigate any alterations of content protein in fetal brain sections, including the identification of cell death.

<table border="1">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the reagent/equipment</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue number</td>
 <td>Comments (optional)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Superfrost Plus Slides</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>48311-703</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PAP PEN</td>
 <td>Research Products Int. Corp.</td>
 <td>195506</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>5-Plend Open Mailer </td>
 <td>Heathrow Scientific, LLC</td>
 <td>HS 15983G</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Peel away embedding molds</td>
 <td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
 <td>70182</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>In situ cell death detection kit, POD</td>
 <td>Roche Diagnostics, Inc</td>
 <td>11684817910</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution</td>
 <td>Invitrogen</td>
 <td>14170-120 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Gelatin Type A</td>
 <td>FisherScientific</td>
 <td>G8-500</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Stereomicroscope</td>
 <td>W. NUHSBAUM, Inc </td>
 <td>Leica M60, KL 200 LED</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Micro-Vibratome</td>
 <td>Leica, Inc </td>
 <td>Leica VT 1000S</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Moria Ultra Fine Forceps </td>
 <td>Fine Science Tools</td>
 <td>11370-40</td>
 <td>2 pairs</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Graduate 30 ml feeding tubes</td>
 <td>Dyets, Inc </td>
 <td>900012 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Vitamin Mix </td>
 <td>Bio-Serv. Inc. </td>
 <td>F8031 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Mineral Mix</td>
 <td>Bio-Serv. Inc. </td>
 <td>F8598 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Maltose Dextrin</td>
 <td>Bio-Serv. Inc. </td>
 <td>3650 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ethyl alcohol 190 Proof, 5 gallons</td>
 <td>111000190-SS05 </td>
 <td>Pharmco-AAPER</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Upright microscope</td>
 <td>W. NUHSBAUM, Inc</td>
 <td>LEICA DM 4000 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 </tbody>
</table>

experimental methods for testing the effects of neurotrophic peptide, adnf-9, against alcohol-induced apoptosis during pregnancy in c57bl/6 mice

Experimental designs for investigating the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure during early embryonic stages in fetal brain growth are challenging. This is mostly due to the difficulty of microdissection of fetal brains and their sectioning for determination of apoptotic cells caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. The experiments described here provide visualized techniques from mice breeding to the identification of cell death in fetal brain tissue. This study used C57BL/6 mice as the animal model for studying fetal alcohol exposure and the role of trophic peptide against alcohol-induced apoptosis. The breeding consists of a 2-hr matting window to determine the exact stage of embryonic age. An established fetal alcohol exposure model has been used in this study to determine the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in fetal brains. This involves free access to alcohol or pair-fed liquid diets as the sole source of nutrients for the pregnant mice.
The techniques involving dissection of fetuses and microdissection of fetal brains are described carefully, since the latter can be challenging. Microdissection requires a stereomicroscope and ultra-fine forceps. Step-by-step procedures for dissecting the fetal brains are provided visually. The fetal brains are dissected from the base of the primordium olfactory bulb to the base of the metencephalon.
For investigating apoptosis, fetal brains are first embedded in gelatin using a peel-away mold to facilitate their sectioning with a vibratome apparatus. Fetal brains embedded and fixed in paraformaldehyde are easily sectioned, and the free floating sections can be mounted in superfrost plus slides for determination of apoptosis or cell death.
TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling; TdT: terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase) assay has been used to identify cell death or apoptotic cells. It is noteworthy that apoptosis and cell-mediated cytotoxicity are characterized by DNA fragmentation. Thus, the visualized TUNEL-positive cells are indicative of cell death or apoptotic cells.
The experimental designs here provide information about the use of an established liquid diet for studying the effects of alcohol and the role of neurotrophic peptides during pregnancy in fetal brains. This involves breeding and feeding pregnant mice, microdissecting fetal brains, and determining apoptosis. Together, these visual and textual techniques might be a source for investigating prenatal exposure of harmful agents in fetal brains.

The experimental methods described here show that a 2-hr breeding window is essential to estimate accurate gestational stage. We have demonstrated the dissection of the embryos at the age of E13. We also demonstrated microdissection of fetal brains at E13. The procedure involves several stages (a-c), as described in Figure 1. Fetal brains are dissected from the base of the primordium olfactory bulb to the base of the metencephalon (Figure 1). Fetal brains are then fixed in 4% paraformald...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Experimental Methods for Testing the Effects of Neurotrophic Peptide, ADNF-9, Against Alcohol-induced Apoptosis during Pregnancy in C57BL/6 Mice at JoVE.com

Experimental Methods for Testing the Effects of Neurotrophic Peptide, ADNF-9, Against Alcohol-induced Apoptosis during Pregnancy in C57BL/6 Mice

The experimental designs proposed here focus on studying the effects of alcohol exposure in apoptosis and the application of neurotrophic peptide during pregnancy in fetal brain. A detailed description from the breeding to the collection of fetal brains is described. Techniques for determination of apoptosis are also described in detail.

Experimental designs for investigating the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure during early embryonic stages in fetal brain growth are challenging. This ...

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11.6K Views.  University of Toledo. The experimental designs proposed here focus on studying the effects of alcohol exposure in apoptosis and the application of neurotrophic peptide during pregnancy in fetal brain. A detailed description from the breeding to the collection of fetal brains is described. Techniques for determination of apoptosis are also described in detail.

Video: Experimental Methods for Testing the Effects of Neurotrophic Peptide, ADNF-9, Against Alcohol-induced Apoptosis during Pregnancy in C57BL/6 Mice