Prenatal exposure to SKF-38393 alters the response to light of adult rats.
The current study examined the consequences of prenatal SKF-38393 exposure on the cellular response in the adult suprachiasmatic nuclei to light. Pregnant rats were injected with the dopamine agonist SKF-38393 or vehicle daily from gestational day 15 to 21. Adult offspring received a light pulse (1 min/2 lux) 4 or 8 h after lights off (ZT16 or ZT20 where ZT=zeitgeber time). Brains were processed for c-FOS-like immunoreactivity in the SCN. At ZT20 the number of cells expressing c-FOS protein after a light pulse was the same in both groups. At ZT16 the number of cells in the SCN of SKF-38393-exposed animals was 58% lower than the vehicle-treated group. The data suggest that prenatal SKF-38393 treatment may have long-term consequences for SCN function.
Ferguson
S A
SA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Kennaway
D J
DJ
D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D017781:Genes, Immediate-Early / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012737:Sex Factors; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D015647:2,3,4,5-Tetrahydro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-1H-3-benzazepine