PRENATAL NICOTINE SEX-DEPENDENTLY ALTERS AGONIST-INDUCED LOCOMOTION AND STEREOTYPY

This study examined the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure (2 mg/kg /day) via SC osmotic minipumps, gestational days 7-22, on nicotine-and lobeline-induced locomotor activity and stereotypy in 14-day-old rat pups. Prenatal nicotine exposure increased fetal mortality and produce d decreases in weight gain apparent after weaning, but did not affect acquisition of developmental milestones. Compared to male pups prenata lly exposed to saline, those prenatally exposed to nicotine and challe nged with nicotine (1 mg/kg, IP) exhibited significantly greater locom otor activity, whereas a lobeline challenge (1 mg/kg, SC) produced sig nificantly greater stereotypy. No effects of prenatal exposure were ob served on locomotor activity or stereotypy in females. Results suggest that 1) central control of motor function may be more vulnerable to p renatal nicotine in males, and 2) nicotine and lobeline possess distin ct pharmacological profiles. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.