Objective      To study the effect of perinatal malnutrition on learning and memory function of newborn rats and its possible mechanism.       Methods      Fourteen-day pregnant SD rats were divided into experimental group (half amount diet group) and control group (normal diet group). The newborn rats were divided into experimental group and control group on day 21 after birth and fed with normal diet. BMI of newborn and adult rats were weighed. Learning and memory function of newborn rats were assayed by Morris water maze behavioral test. DNA oxidative damage (8-OhdG) and its repair index (OGG1) were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting

respectively.       Results      The BMI of newborn and adult rats was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group (4.66±0.28 vs 6.59±0.16

187.66±22.67 vs 279.50±18.73 g

P0.01). Space exploration experiments showed that the latent time was significantly longer

the crossing platform frequency was significantly less

and the percentage of crossing target quadrant time to total swimming time was significantly shorter in experimental group than in control group [37.21±4.93 vs 16.41±5.21 s

6.57±1.22 vs 13.12±2.34

(32.75±4.58)% vs (60.31±6.74)%

P0.05 or P0.01]. Morris water maze behavioral test showed that the learning and memory function were lower

the 8-OHdG expression level was significantly higher whereas the OGG1 expression level was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group (18.01±0.05 vs 5.77±0.03

  21.15±0.10 vs 10.81±0.08

0.32±0.08 vs 0.81±0.06

  1.57±0.10 vs 2.78±0.53

P0.05).       Conclusion      Perinatal malnutrition impairs the learning and memory function of newborn rats

which may be related with DNA oxidative damage and its repair disturbance.