Avoidance behavior, prolactin, HVA and DOPAC in offspring of bromopride-treated rats

The effects of perinatal treatments with bromopride (BRO), a dopaminergic blocking agent, on serum prolactin (PRL), striatal dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels, and active and inhibitory avoidance behavior of both sexes, were examined in adult Wistar rats. Offspring were divided into four groups depending upon the treatment received by the dams: BV--offspring of dams exposed to BRO only during pregnancy; VB--offspring of dams receiving BRO only during lactation; BB--offspring of dams treated with BRO during pregnancy and lactation; and VV--offspring of dams receiving vehicle during both periods. Active avoidance responses were reduced in males of all experimental groups. Other parameters such as inhibitory avoidance, serum PRL levels, and striatal HVA and DOPAC levels were not different from the control group. The results suggest that there is no relationship between HVA and DOPAC striatal levels, serum PRL levels and the behavioral modifications described here.