Effects of maternal exposure to extract of Trichilia catigua on antibody production in the offspring of Wistar rats.

It was evaluated the effects of maternal treatment with the Trichilia catigua (ExTc) crude extract on the antibodies' production by their offspring. Female rats received ExTc or saline from the first day of pregnancy until the twenty-first day after the birth of the pups, when the pups were weaned. All pups were inoculated with two doses of 50 µg of IgY diluted in aluminium hydroxide/PBS on days 26 and 40 of life. Antibody levels were analysed by ELISA. Our results show an increase in levels of IgG1 and IgG2a anti-IgY in female offspring of mothers treated with ExTc compared to female offspring of untreated mothers. Furthermore, ExTc treatment suppressed the production of IgG2a anti-IgY antibodies in males. The data show that maternal exposure to ExTc can modulate the production of antibodies in the offspring.

In utero and lactational exposure to fluoxetine delays puberty onset in female rats offspring.

Depression is one of the most prevalent disorders in the world and may occur during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Fluoxetine (FLX) has been widely prescribed for use during depression in pregnancy and lactation. This study aimed to investigate if in utero and lactational exposure to FLX could compromise reproductive parameters in female offspring. Wistar rats received, by daily gavage, FLX 5mg/kg or 0.3ml of water (control group) from the first gestational day until weaning (21 days). Assessments in the female offspring included: body weight, anogenital distance, vaginal opening, first estrus, estrous cycle, reproductive organs weight, uterine morphometric analyses, ovarian follicle and corpora lutea counting, estradiol plasmatic concentration, sexual behavior, maternal behavior and fertility test. Exposure to FLX delayed the puberty onset in female pups. The present study demonstrated that developmental exposure to FLX can deregulate the neuroendocrine hormonal control of female offspring during prepubertal and pubertal periods.

The exposure to Trichilia catigua (catuaba) crude extract impairs fertility of adult female rats but does not cause reproductive damage to male offspring.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Trichilia catigua is broadly used in folk medicine due to its mental and physical tonic activities and stimulant effects. In animal models, its antidepressant-like effects have been associated with the dopaminergic (DA) system modulation, which has an important role on maternal behavior and male offspring reproductive development. AIM OF THE STUDY: Since little is known about the adverse effects of the exposure to T. catigua crude extract (CAT) in rats, specially regarding maternal homeostasis and offspring development, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether CAT exposure may influence maternal toxicity parameters and behavior or disrupt male offspring physical and reproductive development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dams were treated daily (by gavage) with 400mg/kg of CAT or vehicle (control=CTR) throughout pregnancy and lactation. Fertility and maternal behavior tests were conducted in dams. Male offspring reproductive and behavioral parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Dams exposed to CAT showed increased pre- and post-implantation losses rates when compared to CTR group. No significant changes regarding maternal behavior or male offspring parameters were observed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, maternal exposure to CAT interfered with implantation during the initial phases of pregnancy but did not induce changes on maternal behavior or male offspring reproductive and behavioral parameters.

Effects of repeated administration of methylphenidate on reproductive parameters in male rats.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychostimulant drug which acts by blocking the dopamine and norepinephrine transporters and is the main drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. During puberty, changes in neurotransmitter systems (including dopaminergic system) are engaged on the release of gonadal hormones and the development of cephalic structures responsible for reproductive function. This study investigated the effects of repeated treatment with methylphenidate during development on reproductive parameters of adult male rats. Wistar rats received MPH 2.5 mg/kg, MPH 5.0 mg/kg, or distilled water (gavage) from postnatal day (PND) 21 to PND 60. At PND 100, an increase in percentage of abnormal tail morphology sperm in MPH 2.5 and increase in testicular interstitial tissue volume in MPH groups as well as in the number of type A spermatogonia in MPH 5.0 group were observed. This study demonstrated that repeated administration of methylphenidate during periods corresponding childhood to early adulthood interfered on testicular function in rats at adult life.

Lactational exposure to sulpiride: assessment of maternal care and reproductive and behavioral parameters of male rat pups.

Dopaminergic receptor antagonists may be used as galactagogues because they increase serum prolactin (PRL) by counteracting the inhibitory influence of dopamine on PRL secretion. The antipsychotic drug sulpiride (SUL) is documented to be effective as a galactagogue, but it is transferred through milk to the neonates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if maternal exposure to SUL during lactation could disrupt maternal care and/or male offspring reproductive development. The dams were treated daily (gavage) with SUL 2.5mg/kg or 25mg/kg during lactation. Maternal behavior was analyzed on lactational days 5 and 10. In offspring, reproductive and behavioral parameters were analyzed at different time points. SUL treatment did not impair maternal care, but caused testicular damage in male offspring. At postnatal day 90, a reduction in testis weight, volume of seminiferous tubule and histopathological alterations such as an increased percentage of abnormal seminiferous tubules were observed. Data shows that maternal exposure to SUL during lactation may impact the reproductive development of male rats and the testes seem to be the main target organ at adulthood.