AIM To develop a murine model for investigating the long term effects of pregnatal cocaine exposure on the
offspring dopaminergic
nervous system and their relationships with dose and age. METHODS The body and brain weight of
offspring from COC10, COC20 and SAL groups was measured. The concentration of dopamine and its metabolites were analyzed by HPLC EC. The distribution and relative content of TH in SN region was observed by immunochemistry. RESULTS During preadolescence and adolenscence, cocaine induced development delay of offspring from COC20;neurotransmitter analysis revealed that the concentration of DA,DOPAC,HVA in the brains from COC20 prepups and pups is much higher than that from controls. There were no significant differents between COC10 and SAL groups. The rate of abortion from COC40 was 80%,the other neonates all died before P10. CONCLUTION Pregnatal cocaine exposure can lead to long term effects on offspring
dopaminergic nervous system. These effects are dose and age dependent.