Biomedical subjects

Marie Pometlová

Publications and source records attributed to Marie Pometlová.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Postnatal development of rat pups is altered by prenatal methamphetamine exposure.

There are studies showing that drug abuse during pregnancy may have impairing effect on progeny of drug-abusing mothers. Methamphetamine (MA) is one of the most common illicit drugs throughout the world. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of prenatal MA exposure on postnatal development of rat pups before the time of separation from their mothers. Female rats were injected with MA (5 mg/kg daily) for the duration of their pregnancy. Pups were then tested throughout the lactation period. They were weighed daily and the ano-genital distance was measured on postnatal day (PD) 1. Development of postural motor reaction was tested by righting reflex on surface between PD 1 and 12, and righting reflex in mid-air after PD 12 until successfully accomplished. On PD 15 homing test was examined as a test of pup acute learning. On PD 23 sensory-motor coordination was examined using the rotarod and bar-holding tests. Additionally, the markers of physical maturation, such as eye opening, testes descent in males and vaginal opening in females were also recorded. The birth weight in prenatally MA-exposed pups was lower than in controls or saline-exposed pups regardless of sex. There were no changes induced by prenatal MA exposure in weight gain or in sexual maturation. In righting reflexes, we demonstrated that pups exposed prenatally to MA were slower in righting reflex on surface and that they accomplished the test of righting reflex in mid-air later than controls or saline-exposed pups. The performance of homing test was not affected by prenatal drug exposure. The sensory-motor coordination was impaired in prenatally MA-exposed pups when testing in the rotarod test. Also, the number of falls in the bar-holding test was higher in MA-exposed pups than in controls. There were no sex differences in any measures. Thus, the present study demonstrated that prenatal MA exposure impairs development of postural motor movements of rat pups during the first 3 weeks after birth, while not affecting physical or sexual maturation.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2005

Learning in the Place navigation task, not the New-learning task, is altered by prenatal methamphetamine exposure.

Adult rats (prenatally methamphetamine-exposed, saline-exposed and controls) were tested for learning in the Morris water maze. Rats were tested in 4 consecutive days using two different types of learning tests: "Place navigation test" (stable platform position) and "New-learning test" (platform position changed daily). Males exposed prenatally to methamphetamine were slower in the Place navigation learning test than were both the control and saline-exposed males. There were no differences in the New-learning test between groups.

Amphetamine-Related Disorders↗

PubMed2005

Methamphetamine administration during gestation impairs maternal behavior.

Previous studies demonstrated that repeated drug exposure, such as opiates or cocaine, during the gestation period attenuates maternal behavior of rats; however, it is not known whether methamphetamine (MA), a drug whose usage has increased recently, negatively affects maternal behavior as well. Therefore, the present study tested the hypothesis that repeated subcutaneous administration of MA (5 mg/kg daily) throughout the entire gestation period alters maternal behavior. Dams (control, saline-, and MA-treated) were observed with their pups in two types of tests. In the observation test, 11 types of activities and three types of nursing positions of mothers were recorded 10 times during each 50-min session for the 22-day lactation period. A decrease in nursing and active maternal behavior was found in MA-treated mothers relative to control rats. In addition, stereotypic behavior such as rearing and sniffing was increased in MA- as well as in saline-treated mothers relative to controls. All mothers, regardless of the treatment, displayed significantly less maternal behavior and more nonmaternal activities as postpartum time progressed. In the retrieval test, mothers also were tested for pup retrieval from postpartum Days 1 through 12. MA-treated mothers were slower in retrieving the first pup, returning the first pup into the nest, and returning all pups into the nest relative to controls or saline-treated mothers. Interestingly, the latency to return all pups to the nest was longer in saline-treated mothers relative to controls. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a novel finding that MA administered during the gestation period has a negative effect on maternal behavior.

Adrenergic Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal behavior is impaired by methamphetamine administered during pre-mating, gestation and lactation.

Previous studies demonstrated that stimulant drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamine, administered during gestation or lactation may attenuate maternal behavior in rats. The effect of methamphetamine (MA), a drug whose usage has increased lately, on maternal behavior has not yet been investigated. The present study tested the effect of MA (5 mg/kg daily) administered prior to, during and after gestation on maternal behavior. Regularity of the estrous cycle, the incidence of impregnation, and the weight gain was compared between groups (control, saline- and MA-treated). Maternal behavior was examined using two tests: Observation test (without disturbance of the mother and pups) and Retrieval test (with short separation of pups from the mother). All tests were conducted prior to dosing each day. In the Observation test, MA decreased the blanket position of active nursing, while increasing passive nursing. There were no MA-induced changes in other maternal activities such as mother being in the nest, in contact with pups, or grooming pups. MA increased some non-maternal activities, such as drinking, eating, and sleeping, while decreasing stereotypic behavior (sniffing and rearing) when compared to controls. In the Retrieval test, MA-treated mothers were slower in retrieving the first pup, returning the first pup into the nest, and returning all pups into the nest. Interestingly, there were differences in maternal behavior also in saline-treated mothers relative to controls. Saline-treated mothers spent more time in the nest and groomed pups more than controls or MA-treated mothers. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a novel finding that MA administered during pre-mating, gestational and lactational periods has a negative effect on maternal behavior toward pups.

Animals↗