WIDESPREAD EXPRESSION OF FUNCTIONAL D-1-DOPAMINE RECEPTORS IN FETAL-RAT BRAIN

Maternal treatment with cocaine or the D-1-dopamine receptor agonist, SKF 38393, induces expression of the immediate-early gene, c-fos, in f etal rodent brain. Our previous studies have focused on the suprachias matic nucleus late in gestation. In the present report, we examined th e anatomical distribution of functional D-1-dopamine receptors through out fetal rat brain, Functional D-1 receptors were defined using three complementary methods: in situ hybridization to detect D-1 receptor m RNA, autoradiographic detection of I-125-SCH 23982 binding, and in sit u hybridization to detect c-fos gene expression induced by maternal tr eatment with SKF 38393. D-1-dopamine receptor binding, receptor mRNA, and SKF 38393-induced c-fos gene expression are widespread in fetal br ain by late gestation. These data indicate that the fetal brain is sen sitive to dopamine receptor activation, and suggest that gestational e xposure to drugs of abuse acting via dopaminergic mechanisms may influ ence fetal brain function. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.