Combined exposure to nicotine and ethanol throughout full gestation results in enhanced acquisition of nicotine self-administration in young adult rat offspring.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiological evidence shows positive correlation between either maternal cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption on subsequent drug-taking behavior in offspring. However, the consequences of full gestational exposure to both drugs have not been studied experimentally despite concurrent use frequently reported among women of childbearing age. Such comorbid gestational drug exposure may increase susceptibility to acquiring cigarette smoking (i.e., nicotine self-administration), a major gateway drug.


OBJECTIVE
We developed a noninvasive rat model for exposure to both nicotine (2-6 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) and EtOH (4 g/kg gavage) that continued throughout pregnancy and postnatal (P) days 2-12, the rodent equivalent of the human third trimester, a critical brain developmental period. Offspring with this full gestational exposure to both drugs (Nic+EtOH) were compared to controls: nicotine alone, EtOH alone, pair-fed (comparable nutrition and handling), and ad libitum chow-fed. At P60-90, offspring had unlimited chronic access to acquire i.v. nicotine self-administration.


RESULTS
There were no differences in gender ratio, stillbirths, birth weights, righting reflex, eye opening age, or weight gain. However, Nic+EtOH offspring of both genders acquired nicotine self-administration (15 or 30 microg kg(-1) injection(-1)) more rapidly, at a higher percentage, and at a higher level than offspring in the other cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
Full gestational Nic+EtOH exposure produced no overt alterations in standard postnatal measures but resulted in an enhanced acquisition of nicotine self-administration in young adult offspring.
Matta
Shannon G
SG
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 874 Union Ave., Crowe 115, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. smatta@utmem.edu
Elberger
Andrea J
AJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012646:Self Administration
D000431:Ethanol; D009538:Nicotine