Maternal MDMA administration in mice leads to neonatal growth delay.

Abstract

The psychoactive recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is widely abused. The fact that MDMA induces neurotoxic damage in serotonergic nerve endings is well known. However, the effects of MDMA on pregnant and neonatal animals remain unknown. Therefore, we studied the effects of gestational exposure to MDMA on birth, growth, and behavior of pups. Female BALB/c mice were orally administered either water (10 ml/kg) or MDMA (20 mg/10 ml/kg) from gestational day 1 to postnatal day (P) 21. MDMA did not affect the birth rate, but the survival rate of the pups significantly decreased. A significant reduction in body weight gain was observed in pups from MDMA-administered dams during P3-P21. Maternal MDMA treatment caused an attenuated cliff avoidance reaction and decreased motor function in the pups, as determined by the wire hanging test. These results suggest that MDMA treatment during pregnancy and lactation causes growth retardation and dysfunction of motor neurons in mouse pups.

• Authors: Asuka Kaizaki, Sachiko Tanaka, Takemi Yoshida, Satoshi Numazawa
• Journal: The Journal of toxicological sciences (J Toxicol Sci) Vol. 39 Issue 1 Pg. 33-9 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1880-3989 [Electronic] Japan
• PMID: 24418707 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Illicit Drugs
• N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

Topics

• Animals
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Female
• Gestational Age
• Growth and Development (drug effects)
• Illicit Drugs
• Male
• Maternal Exposure (adverse effects)
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange
• Mice
• Motor Activity (drug effects)
• Motor Neurons (drug effects)
• N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (administration & dosage, metabolism, toxicity)
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
• Psychomotor Performance (drug effects)
• Reaction Time
• Serotonergic Neurons (drug effects)