The current study examined the consequences of prenatal SKF-38393 exposure
on the cellular response in the adult suprachiasmatic nuclei to light. Preg
nant rats were injected with the dopamine agonist SKF-38393 or vehicle dail
y from gestational day 15 to 21. Adult offspring received a light pulse (1
min/2 lux) 4 or 8 h after lights off (ZT16 or ZT20 where ZT = zeitgeber tim
e). Brains were processed for c-FOS-like immunoreactivity in the SCN. At ZT
20 the number of cells expressing c-FOS protein after a light pulse was the
same in both groups. At ZT16 the number of cells in the SCN of SKF-38393-e
xposed animals was 58% lower than the vehicle-treated group. The data sugge
st that prenatal SKF-38393 treatment may have long-term consequences for SC
N function. NeuroReport 11:1539-1541 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
.