Figure 3. MHFD: Microglial morphology in the BST.

Maximum projection images of microglial cells (green) and labeled AgRP terminals (red) in the BST of mice at P16 (A, B) or P30 (C,D) that were either exposed to MHFD (B, D) or NCD (A, C). Graphical comparisons between groups to show that microglial ramification complexity (E) remained the same, regardless of age or diet. Microglial cell territory (F), cell volume (G) and process length (H) did not significantly change between P16 and P30 and were not changed as a result of diet. The density of microglia in the BST decreased between P16 and P30, irrespective of diet (I). The density of AgRP terminals increased between P16 and P30, but there was no effect of maternal diet (J). Bars represent the mean ± SEM and each point represents one animal. *P<.05. Abbreviations: BST, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; MHFD, maternal high fat diet during lactation; NCD, Normal Chow Diet.