Fig. 1
Illustrates the PFC (a & c) and HP (b & d) neurodevelopmental expression of Ca-β3 (upper panel) and GABAAR-β3 (lower panel) mRNA between Control and Pb2+ exposed rats. Perinatal Pb2+ exposure alters the expression of Ca-β3 mRNA with increased vulnerability in the PFC at PND 7 and 14, and in the HP at PND 7 and 22. Pb2+ exposure resulted in an altered regulation of GABAAR-β3 mRNA expression at PND 7 and 22 in the PFC and a down regulation from PND 7–22 in the HP. Data are presented as ± SEM and Tukey’s post hoc analyses are denoted as a significant difference in Control rats (p < 0.05*, p < 0.01**, p < 0.001***) as a function of Age, and denoted as a significant difference between Pb2+ vs. Control (p < 0.05#, p < 0.01##, p < 0.001###) as a function of Age and an Age X Treatment interaction for each developmental time-point (p < 0.05‡, p < 0.01‡‡, p < 0.001‡‡‡)