Prenatal diclofenac exposure delays pubertal development and induces behavioral changes in rats

• Published in: Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2020-09, Vol.96, p.380-389
• Main Authors: Krebs Ribeiro, Daniele Cristine, Passoni, Marcella Tapias, Meldola, Heloísa, Curi, Tatiana Zauer, da Silva, Gabriela Neubert, Tolouei, Sara Emilia Lima, Hey, Giovanna Sari, Grechi, Nicole, dos Santos, Ariany Carvalho, Souza, Roosevelt Isaias Carvalho, Spercoski, Katherinne Maria, Ramos, Anderson Tadeu de Araujo, Martino-Andrade, Anderson Joel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - toxicity; Behavior; Behavior, Animal - drug effects; Diclofenac; Diclofenac - toxicity; Endocrine disruptors; Female; Male; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - pathology; Rats, Wistar; Reproductive toxicology; Sexual Maturation - drug effects
• ISSN: 0890-6238; 1873-1708
• DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.08.001

•Diclofenac induces a slight delay in pubertal development in rat offspring.•Male partner preference behavior was impaired by diclofenac exposure.•Reproductive parameters assessed at adulthood are not affected by diclofenac. Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug widely used by the general population and, although generally contraindicated during pregnancy, it is also used by some pregnant women. This study investigated endocrine, reproductive and behavioral effects of diclofenac in male and female offspring rats exposed in utero from gestational days 10–20. Pregnant rats were treated with diclofenac at doses of 0.2, 1 and 5 mg/kg/day via oral gavage. Anogenital distance (AGD), number of nipples, and developmental landmarks of puberty onset - vaginal opening (VO), first estrus (FE) and preputial separation (PPS) – were evaluated in the offspring. At adulthood, behavioral and reproductive parameters were assessed. Male and female rats were tested in the elevated plus maze test to assess locomotor activity and anxiety-like behaviors, while male rats were also evaluated in the partner preference test. No significant effects were observed on AGD and number of nipples in both males and females. Diclofenac treatment induced an overall delay in developmental landmarks of puberty onset in male and female offspring, which reached statistical significance for PPS at the lowest diclofenac dose. Prenatal exposure to all tested doses abolished the preference of male rats for an estrous female, suggesting an impairment of brain masculinization. No changes were observed on male or female reproductive parameters at adulthood. Overall, our results indicate that prenatal exposure to therapeutically relevant doses of diclofenac may have an impact in the pubertal development of rats and negatively affect male partner preference behavior.