Fig. 3.
(A) [NAA], which is a marker for neurons, demonstrated significant increases for the PND7 unexposed animal group (P < 0.0001); however, [NAA] remained relatively unchanged in the PND7 exposed group, indicating possible neuronal damage or impaired neuronal growth during that period. (B) The exposed PND7 rats demonstrated a decrease in total choline (P < 0.02), whereas the unexposed PND7 rats had a slight increase. (C) The older PND15 rats demonstrated an increase in [NAA] irrespective of anesthesia exposure, identifying that the decrease [NAA] seen in PND7 rats is unique to that age group. (D) Similarly, both the PND15 exposed and unexposed rat groups demonstrated similar trends with total choline levels, again demonstrating that the difference seen in response to anesthesia exposure on PND7 is unique to that age group. GPC + PCh = total choline; NAA = N-acetylaspartate; PND = postnatal day.