Effects from prenatal exposure to alprazolam on the social behavior of mice offspring.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to conduct, in a randomized placebo-controlled manner, social behavior testing on mice offspring that were exposed prenatally to alprazolam.


METHODS
A previously described, clinically relevant dose of 0.32 mg/kg of alprazolam (n=8 mice) or a placebo (n=9 mice) was given to gravid C57BL/6 mice by gavage on gestational day 18. Social play, sleep/wake patterns, and male aggression of the exposed offspring were assessed during prejuvenile, juvenile, and adult periods.


RESULTS
Alprazolam did not produce treatment differences in pregnancy outcomes or in dam-pup interactions. Compared with the placebo group, alprazolam-exposed offspring demonstrated less desire to escape (P<.01), more desire to remain alone (P<.02), and shorter periods of being awake (P<.03) on PND 17. Alprazolam-exposed male offspring exhibited more aggression on food restriction (P<.01) and on cage changing (P<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Mice offspring that were exposed prenatally to alprazolam demonstrated more individual rather than group activities, avoidance of open areas, and aggression in males. Correlation of these findings in humans is encouraged.
Christensen
H Dix
HD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Gonzalez
Christina L
CL
Rayburn
William F
WF
D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004924:Escape Reaction / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000525:Alprazolam