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Published on: July 13, 2014
Effects of phenobarbital given to pregnant mice on behavior of mature offspring
Insights
Phenobarbital exposure during pregnancy in mice (Mus musculus) altered offspring behavior. Treated offspring showed increased locomotion, impaired passive avoidance, and reduced response to reinforcement, suggesting decreased environmental responsiveness.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Maternal drug exposure during gestation can impact offspring neurodevelopment and behavior.
- Phenobarbital is a commonly used sedative and anticonvulsant with potential teratogenic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term behavioral effects of prenatal phenobarbital exposure in mice.
- To assess changes in locomotor activity, learning, and reinforcement sensitivity in offspring exposed to phenobarbital in utero.
Main Methods:
- C57BL/6J mice were administered phenobarbital (40 mg/kg) or saline daily during the last third of pregnancy.
- Offspring were assessed at 75 days of age using an open field activity test, a one-trial passive avoidance task, and fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement.
Main Results:
- Phenobarbital-exposed offspring exhibited significantly higher locomotor activity in the open field test.
- Male offspring from treated dams showed deficits in the passive avoidance task.
- Female offspring from treated dams displayed reduced responding under fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal phenobarbital exposure induces lasting behavioral alterations in mice offspring.
- These changes indicate a reduced responsiveness to environmental stimuli and impaired learning and motivation in exposed offspring.
- The findings highlight the potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with in utero exposure to phenobarbital.
Abstract:
Mature offspring of C57BL/6J mice (Mus musculus) injected daily with phenobarbital (40 mg/kg) for the last third of pregnancy differed from saline and untreated control animals on 3 measures of behavior. Offspring of phenobarbital treated animals had higher locomotor scores than controls during an open field activity test at 75 days of age. Male offspring were also tested on a 1-trial passive avoidance task and treated animals were found to be deficient. Finally, female offspring responded less than controls on fixed ratio schedules of reinforcement. The behavioral changes suggest that offspring of mice injected with phenobarbital during pregnancy are less responsive to the stimuli in their environment which maintain behavior.
