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In utero nicotine exposure affects murine palate development.
Heema Vyas1, Amr Mohi1, Mark Boyce1,2
1Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research
|August 2, 2024
Summary
Nicotine exposure during lactation significantly impacts offspring palate development, affecting width and length. This highlights risks beyond in utero exposure, including from electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Teratology
- Craniofacial Development
Background:
- Maternal smoking and nicotine use during pregnancy pose risks to fetal development.
- Nicotine exposure is linked to birth defects, but specific timing and craniofacial impacts require further investigation.
- Palatal malformations can lead to significant health issues, including airway obstruction and facial growth disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify critical periods of nicotine exposure affecting craniofacial development, specifically palate growth.
- To investigate the impact of in utero and postnatal nicotine exposure on palate development.
- To test the hypothesis that both in utero and postnatal nicotine exposure alter palate development.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant C57BL6 mice received water supplemented with 100 μg/mL nicotine.
- Nicotine administration occurred during specific windows: early pregnancy, throughout pregnancy, pregnancy and lactation, or lactation only.
- Palatal development in postnatal day 15 pups was analyzed using micro-computed tomography (μCT).
Main Results:
- Lactation-only nicotine exposure resulted in significant differences in pup body weight.
- Micro-computed tomography revealed that lactation-only nicotine exposure affected multiple palate dimensions.
- Specific dimensions impacted included palate width, palate and cranial base lengths, and mid-palatal suture width.
Conclusions:
- Nicotine exposure, particularly during the postnatal lactation period, directly affects palate development.
- Nicotine from various sources (alternatives, cessation aids, ENDS) may disrupt palate growth during development and breastfeeding.
- Future research will focus on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) due to their increasing use.
