Gestational treatment with cocaine and fluoxetine alters oxytocin receptor number and binding affinity in lactating rat dams
Abstract
Cocaine administered chronically throughout gestation has been correlated with deficits in maternal behavior, increased maternal aggressive behavior and decreased oxytocin levels in rats. In addition to its effects on oxytocin levels, cocaine is a potent serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor. Alterations in the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems have been suggested as possibly having a role in cocaine-induced maternal aggression. This study was in part, an attempt to understand some of the mechanisms by which cocaine increases postpartum aggression, particularly as they relate to changes in the oxytocin system. Oxytocin receptor number and binding affinity in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus, ventral tegmental area, hippocampus and amygdala were determined for lactating rat dams on postpartum day 6 (PPD 6) that were gestationally treated with cocaine, fluoxetine, saline or an amfonelic acid/fluoxetine drug combination. Cocaine and fluoxetine treatment both resulted in a significant up-regulation of oxytocin receptor number and lower receptor affinity in the amygdala of lactating rat dams compared to saline controls and the amfonelic acid/fluoxetine combination treatment group. Cocaine tr...Continue Reading
References
Neuroendocrine responses to cocaine do not exhibit sensitization following repeated cocaine exposure
Haloperidol-induced disruption of retrieval behavior and reversal with apomorphine in lactating rats
Apomorphine-induced aggressiveness and [3H]citalopram binding after antidepressant treatment in rats
Citations
Mothers with substance addictions show reduced reward responses when viewing their own infant's face
Intergenerational effects of cocaine on maternal aggressive behavior and brain oxytocin in rat dams.
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