Investigation of possible teratogenic effects in the offspring of mice exposed to methylphenidate during pregnancy

Abstract Methylphenidate (MPH) is a central nervous system stimulant drug that increases concentration and energy level. The safety of MPH use during pregnancy is not well established. Considering the high rate of unplanned pregnancy among young women, potential for accidental exposure to MPH in ear...

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Published in:Reproductive biomedicine online 2016-02, Vol.32 (2), p.170-177
Main Authors: Costa, Gabriel de Araújo, Galvão, Talita Cristina, Bacchi, André Demambre, Moreira, Estefânia Gastaldello, Salles, Maria José Sparça
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anxiety
behavior
Behavior, Animal
Body Weight
Central Nervous System Stimulants - toxicity
Female
Gestational Age
Male
Maternal Exposure
Memory - drug effects
methylphenidate
Methylphenidate - toxicity
Mice
Motor Skills - drug effects
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Animal
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced
teratogenicity
Teratogens
toxicity
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Summary:Abstract Methylphenidate (MPH) is a central nervous system stimulant drug that increases concentration and energy level. The safety of MPH use during pregnancy is not well established. Considering the high rate of unplanned pregnancy among young women, potential for accidental exposure to MPH in early pregnancy is high. This study aimed to investigate if MPH administered during pregnancy would induce maternotoxicity, teratogenicity in mice, or both. Pregnant Swiss mice were treated with MPH (5 mg/kg, subcutaneously) or 0.9% saline (control group) from the 5th to the 17th day of pregnancy. In the MPH-treated group, a significant increase in the total number of resorptions with a consequent increase in post-implantation loss and a decrease in fetal viability were detected (all P < 0.05). A total of 91.43% of resorptions were classified as early resorptions. The group treated with MPH presented significant external (polydactyly P < 0.01), skeletal (incomplete ossification of the skull P < 0.01) and visceral (dilated ventricles P < 0.05) malformations. Behavioural effects (motor activity, memory of habituation and anxiety) were not observed in both male and female offspring evaluated at postnatal days 22, 35 and 75. The results suggest that MPH is an embryotoxic and teratogenic drug.
ISSN:1472-6483
1472-6491
DOI:10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.11.016