Prenatal cocaine exposure alters maternal retrieval behavior in mice.
Previous studies have demonstrated alterations in maternal retrieval behavior as a result of direct cocaine exposure. To establish the influence of prenatal cocaine exposure on pup retrieval, we exposed pups of three F1 genotypes by injecting their mothers (all C57BL/10J strain) with 20 mg/kg cocaine hydrochloride or saline subcutaneously on gestation days 7 to 17. When those pups became adults, control and exposed females were mated with males of the same genotype and tested for pup retrieval on postpartum days 4 and 5. Because ultrasonic calls are known to be elicitors of maternal retrieval behavior, the rate of ultrasonic calling was measured. Prenatal cocaine exposure exerted a significant effect upon retrieval latency on day 4. No relationship was found between genotype and retrieval latency.
Hess
Christopher W
CW
Department of Biology, William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. hahnm@wpunj.edu
Hahn
Martin E
ME
Benno
Robert H
RH
Schanz
Norman
N
D000818:Animals; D003042:Cocaine / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000187:drug effects
D003042:Cocaine