Cocaine exposure during pregnancy and pospartum maternal behavior in mice

Abstract

Maternal cocaine abuse during pregnancy is associated to neglect, abuse, and mother-child bond disruption, which directlyaffects infant development; therefore, various neurobehavioral problems of children of drug-dependent parents could beattributed to inadequate maternal behavior or prenatal exposure to drugs. Thus, the aim of this research was to analyze theeffects of chronic cocaine administration during pregnancy on postpartum maternal behavior. To do this, 21 CD1 pregnantfemale mice were randomly assigned for administration of saline solution and cocaine (25 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day), from day 8 to 21 of gestation. After delivery, for 15 minutes a day, during 20 days, the frequency of occurrence of 16 behavioralpatterns of maternal behavior was individually recorded, using an ethogram. Cocaine slightly affected maternal behavior frequency, although it may have affected other parameters, such as latency, duration, and sequence of this behavior.

Keywords

• Conducta materna postparto
• cocaína
• índices proximales
• actividad motora y automantenimiento