Sex and age differences in approach behavior toward a port that delivers nicotine vapor

The goal of our laboratory is to study the mechanisms that promote nicotine use, particularly in vulnerable populations. To more closely mimic human use patterns, the present study employed nicotine vapor methods involving passive exposure for 14 days in adolescent and adult female and male rats. Age and sex differences in approach behavior (nosepokes) were assessed in a port that delivered nicotine plumes on Day 1 and 14 of our exposure regimen. Controls received ambient air in exposure chambers. After the final session, rats received a nicotinic receptor antagonist to precipitate withdrawal. Then, physical signs, anxiety-like behavior, and plasma levels of cotinine (a nicotine metabolite) were assessed. Over time, females displayed a larger increase in approach behavior to the nicotine port than males, an effect that was larger in adolescents. Nosepoke responses in adolescent females were correlated with anxiety-like behavior, but not physical signs of withdrawal. Adolescents gained more weight than adults regardless of treatment, and the weight gain was larger in male adolescents. Female adolescents also displayed the highest levels of cotinine than all other groups. These findings suggest that nicotine vapor produces greater motivational effects in adolescent females as compared to their adult and male counterparts.