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Detour behavior changes associated with prenatal morphine exposure in 11-day-old chicks
Huaying Sun1, Yi Che, Xiaofen Liu
1State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650223, PR China.
Summary
Prenatal morphine exposure in chicks altered spatial behavior, increasing detour latency and right-turn preference in a one-trial task. However, learning and memory remained unaffected in a multi-trial detour task.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The central nervous system (CNS) shows significant plasticity during early development.
- Prenatal exposure to substances like morphine can negatively impact neonatal and offspring behavior.
- Opioid exposure during gestation is a growing public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral effects of prenatal morphine exposure on spatial learning and memory in 11-day-old chicks.
- To assess the impact of prenatal opioid exposure on specific spatial tasks, including one-trial detour behavior and detour learning.
Main Methods:
- 11-day-old chicks were exposed to morphine (20mg/kg daily from embryonic days 12-16) or saline.
- Spatial behavior was assessed using a one-trial detour task and a multi-trial detour learning task.
- Key metrics included detour latency, turning preference, and learning/memory performance.
Main Results:
- Chicks exposed prenatally to morphine showed significantly longer detour latencies in the one-trial task.
- Morphine-exposed chicks exhibited a preference for turning right in the one-trial detour task.
- No significant differences in learning and memory were observed between groups in the detour learning task.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal morphine exposure can induce specific alterations in spatial behavior, particularly in novel situations.
- These findings highlight potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with opioid use during mid-to-late gestation.
- The study underscores the importance of understanding the long-term health consequences of maternal drug use.
