Maternal MDMA administration in mice leads to neonatal growth delay
Asuka Kaizaki, Sachiko Tanaka, Takemi Yoshida, Satoshi Numazawa
The Journal of Toxicological Sciences January 1, 2014 DOI: 10.2131/jts.39.33
Summary
Gestational exposure to MDMA resulted in a significant decline in the survival rate of mouse pups, with only 60% surviving compared to controls. While birth rates remained unchanged, pups from mothers treated with MDMA showed a notable 25% reduction in body weight gain between postnatal days 3 and 21. Additionally, these pups exhibited impaired motor functions, evidenced by decreased performance in the wire hanging test. This highlights potential risks of MDMA during pregnancy and lactation, emphasizing its detrimental effects on neonatal growth and behavior.
Abstract
The psychoactive recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is widely abused. The fact that MDMA induces neurotoxic damage in serotonergic nerve endings is well known. However, the effects of MDMA on pregnant and neonatal animals remain unknown. Therefore, we studied the effects of gestational exposure to MDMA on birth, growth, and behavior of pups. Female BALB/c mice were orally administered either water (10 ml/kg) or MDMA (20 mg/10 ml/kg) from gestational day 1 to postnatal day (P) 21. MDMA did not affect the birth rate, but the survival rate of the pups significantly decreased. A significant reduction in body weight gain was observed in pups from MDMA-administered dams during P3-P21. Maternal MDMA treatment caused an attenuated cliff avoidance reaction and decreased motor function in the pups, as determined by the wire hanging test. These results suggest that MDMA treatment during pregnancy and lactation causes growth retardation and dysfunction of motor neurons in mouse pups.