Hyperactivity in the offspring of nicotine-treated rats: Role of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(94)90018-3Get rights and content

Abstract

To evaluate the involvement of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic systems in hyperactivity in offspring of nicotine-treated dams, timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted SC on gestational day 4 with osmotic minipumps to receive saline or nicotine (3 or 6 mg/kg/day) for 16 days. Hyperactive and nonhyperactive male offspring of nicotine-treated dams as well as nonhyperactive offspring of saline-treated dams were selected and sacrificed at day 22 postnatally. Discrete brain areas (the nucleus accumbens [NAcc], striatum [STR], frontal cortex [FC], ventral tegmental area [VTA], and substantia nigra [SN]) were microdissected for the evaluation of dopamine (DA) concentration and/or the D2 receptor subtype. Dopamine concentration was decreased in the VTA and STR but was increased in the SN of the hyperactive offspring. The reduction in striatal DA level was associated with a reduction in the number of D2 receptors in that area. The data suggest a role for the VTA and striatal dopaminergic system in offspring hyperactivity.

References (33)

  • L.C. Murrin et al.

    Nicotine administration to rats: Methodological considerations

    Life Sci.

    (1987)
  • E. Museo et al.

    Locomotion induced by ventral tegmental microinjections of a nicotinic agonist

    Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

    (1990)
  • J.D. Peuler et al.

    A simultaneous single isotope radioenzymatic assay of plasma norepinephrine and dopamine

    Life Sci.

    (1977)
  • M. Schlumpf et al.

    A new device for monitoring early motor development: Prenatal nicotine-induced changes

    Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.

    (1988)
  • A.P. Streissguth et al.

    Comparison of drinking and smoking patterns during smoking over a six years interval

    Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.

    (1983)
  • G.L. Brown et al.

    Biochemical and pharmacological aspects of attention deficit disorder

  • Cited by (93)

    • Examination of the Gateway Hypothesis in a rat model

      2019, Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
    • Developmental neurotoxicity of nicotine and tobacco

      2018, Handbook of Developmental Neurotoxicology
    • Physical, behavioral, and cognitive effects of prenatal tobacco and postnatal secondhand smoke exposure

      2014, Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care
      Citation Excerpt :

      Animal studies have shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine causes increased motor activity, hyperactivity, and problems with attention, memory, and learning.199,200 One such study found a dose-dependent relationship between levels of nicotine exposure and “stimulation of locomotor activity in offspring,” reporting “involvement of both mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathways.”200 SHS exposure in the perinatal period is sufficient to raise levels of nicotine to concentrations great enough to alter normal neurodevelopment.201

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    1

    Present address: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Clinical Research Building, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

    2

    To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

    View full text