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Published on: December 14, 2014
Prenatal cocaine exposure: effects on locomotor activity in rat offspring
Ana Magalhães1, Teresa Summavielle, Pedro Melo
1Neurobehavior Unit, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Portugal.
Insights
Prenatal cocaine exposure in rats significantly increased activity and rearing behaviors in early life. These findings suggest cocaine alters emotional development and habituation to new environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to substances of abuse can lead to long-term neurodevelopmental deficits.
- Cocaine is a potent stimulant with known teratogenic effects.
- Understanding the specific behavioral impacts of prenatal cocaine exposure is crucial for identifying potential interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavioral effects of prenatal cocaine exposure in rats during the first month of postnatal life.
- To evaluate alterations in open-field behavior as an indicator of emotional and exploratory development.
- To determine the impact of cocaine on activity levels, rearing, and habituation to a novel environment.
Main Methods:
- Wistar rat dams received 60mg/kg of cocaine daily from gestational day 8 to 22.
- Offspring were assessed in open-field tests on postnatal days 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30.
- Behavioral parameters including total activity, rearing, center/peripheral ambulation, and defecation were recorded over three 15-min sessions.
Main Results:
- Prenatal cocaine exposure significantly increased total activity and rearing on postnatal days 22 and 29.
- Elevated rearing behavior was also observed on postnatal day 14 in cocaine-exposed rats compared to controls.
- No significant differences were found in center/peripheral ambulation or defecation rates between groups.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal cocaine exposure induces significant alterations in emotional and exploratory behaviors in developing rats.
- Cocaine-exposed rats exhibit increased locomotor activity and a heightened tendency to rear.
- The findings suggest a delayed habituation to novel environments in offspring exposed to cocaine prenatally, indicating lasting neurobehavioral changes.
Abstract:
This study examines the developmental effects of prenatal exposure to cocaine in the rat, evaluated during the first month of life through open-field behavior. The offspring of Wistar dams that received 60mg/kg of cocaine, from gestational day 8 to 22, were examined in the open-field during the second, third and fourth weeks of postnatal life in three consecutive 15-min daily sessions, starting on postnatal day (PND) 14, (PND 14-16), PND 21 (PND 21-23) and PND 28 (PND 28-30). Results show that prenatal exposure to cocaine increased total activity and rearing behavior on PND 22 and PND 29. Also, on PND 14, cocaine-exposed animals reared significantly more than control rats. There were no significant differences in the frequency of center and peripheral ambulation, nor in the defecation rate. The present results evidence alterations in the emotional behavior of rats prenatally exposed to cocaine. The delayed onset of exploration in the open-field observed in cocaine-exposed animals suggests that they take more time to become habituated to a novel and open environment.
