Prenatal terbutaline exposure in the rat: selective effects on development of noradrenergic projections to cerebellum.
Terbutaline, used in the treatment of premature labor and asthma, crosses the placenta and can stimulate beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the fetus. This study examines the effects of prenatal exposure to terbutaline (10 mg/kg SC on gestational days 17, 18 and 19) on the development of noradrenergic projections in brain regions of the fetal and neonatal rat, using synaptosomal uptake of [3H]norepinephrine as a marker for synaptogenesis. Although terbutaline exposure did not compromise body or brain region growth, uptake was adversely affected selectively in the cerebellum, a region which also displays close coupling of fetal beta 2-receptors to control of cell development near term. These results thus provide biochemical evidence that terbutaline may be a neurobehavioral teratogen.
Slotkin
T A
TA
Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
Baker
F E
FE
Dobbins
S S
SS
Eylers
J P
JP
Lappi
S E
SE
Seidler
F J
FJ
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013726:Terbutaline; D009638:Norepinephrine