Increased seizure susceptibility induced by prenatal methamphetamine exposure in adult female rats is not affected by early postnatal cross-fostering
Abstract
Our previous studies repeatedly demonstrated that prenatal methamphetamine (MA) exposure alters seizure susceptibility in adult rats. Both the inhibitory GABA system and the excitatory NMDA system play a role in the effect of MA on epileptic seizures.
On the basis of our previous behavioral results, the effect of cross-fostering on seizure susceptibility in adult female rats was examined in the present study. Bicuculline (GABAA receptor antagonist) and NMDA (NMDA receptor agonist) were used to induce seizures in adult female offspring exposed to MA in the prenatal and/or preweaning periods.
Female dams were injected with MA (5mg/kg daily) or physiological saline (S) for approximately 9weeks [about 3weeks prior to impregnation, for the entire gestation period (22days), and in the preweaning period (21days)]. Absolute controls (C) did not receive any injections.
On postnatal day 1, pups were cross-fostered so that each mother received pups from all three treatments.