Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Prenatal exposure to tobacco extract containing nicotinic alkaloids produces morphological and behavioral changes in
Hanane Khalki1, Loubna Khalki, Rachida Aboufatima
1Laboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia University Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Morocco. hanane.neurosc@yahoo.fr
Insights
Maternal tobacco exposure during pregnancy harms fetal development, causing growth retardation and teratogenic effects in rat pups. This study highlights significant impacts on behavioral patterns and motor function, underscoring developmental risks.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy is linked to cognitive deficits and learning impairments in children.
- Tobacco exposure poses risks to fetal, newborn, child, and adolescent health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a tobacco plant extract on the growth and development of rat offspring.
- To assess the impact of gestational tobacco exposure on physical and behavioral development in pups.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats were administered oral doses of tobacco extract or control (NaCl) throughout gestation.
- Offspring growth (length, body weight) and physical development (hair growth, incisor eruption, eye opening) were monitored.
- Behavioral tests included cliff avoidance, righting reflex, swimming, negative geotaxis, and a choice cage test.
Main Results:
- Tobacco extract administration resulted in delayed eye opening, incisor eruption, and hair growth.
- Significant alterations in behavioral development and response rates were observed.
- No differences were noted in the jumping down choice cage test compared to controls.
- Results indicate significant growth retardation and teratogenic effects.
Conclusions:
- Gestational tobacco extract exposure significantly impacts pup behavior, orientation, and motor function.
- The study suggests substantial growth retardation and teratogenic effects from maternal tobacco exposure.
- Findings underscore the detrimental effects of tobacco on prenatal and postnatal development.
Abstract:
Tobacco exposure is not only a health concern for adults but has also been shown to exert deleterious effects on the health of the fetus, newborn, child, and adolescent. Decreased cognitive function, lower Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and deficits in learning and memory in children have been associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy. In this study, we have studied the effect of a tobacco plant extract on the growth and development in the rat. The extract contained relative proportions of alkaloids, including nicotine, purified by chemical separation. Pregnant rats received oral doses of either control (NaCl) or tobacco extract during the entire gestational period. Offspring length and body weight were measured. Each day, the offspring were observed for the following physical parameters: hair growth, incisor eruption and eye opening. The day of appearance of these developments was recorded. Before weaning, the offspring were examined to test their cliff avoidance response (6 postnatal day (PN)), surface righting reflex (05, 07, 13 postnatal day), swimming development (10, 12 postnatal day), negative geotaxis response (7,9,13 and 17 postnatal day) and jumping down choice cage (15, 17 postnatal day). Administration of tobacco extract to dams during the entire gestation period affects behavior and development in pups. The observed effects were a delay in opening eyes, incisor eruption and hair appearance, behavioral developments and an alteration in the rate of success behavior. However, in the jumping down choice cage test there was no difference compared to control animals. The results suggest that tobacco extract has a significant effect on the development of behavioral patterns, orientation and motor coordination and function. They also suggest significant growth retardation and teratogenic effects.
