Intergenerational effects of cocaine on maternal aggressive behavior and brain oxytocin in rat dams

Abstract

Gestational cocaine treatment results in significantly increased maternal aggression towards an intruder by postpartum day six, while acute postpartum treatment dose dependently decreases maternal aggressive (MA) behavior. Both increased and decreased aggression in the cocainetreated dams are correlated with either decreased or increased levels of oxytocin in the amygdala, respectively. The current study was an effort to determine whether the effect of gestational cocaine on maternal aggression is transient or would continue into the postpartum period; whether an intermittent cocaine treatment regimen, which incorporates gestational and postpartum intermittent cocaine treatment, would differ from chronic daily gestational treatment; and finally, whether next generation female offspring of cocaine-treated or control dams would have altered MA behavior and oxytocin system changes attributable to either prenatal drug exposure, rearing condition or both. We now report no increase in maternal aggression following chronic gestational treatment and significantly lower levels of aggression in intermittently treated dams on postpartum day eight, with no significant effects in either group on postpartum day 12. Young adult female offspring of the cocaine-treated and control dams, who reared their own natural litters and were tested on postpartum day eight for maternal aggression, had higher levels of maternal aggression towards an intruder attributable to both prenatal cocaine exposure and rearing condition. Higher aggression in cocaine-reared next generation dams was associated with lower levels of oxytocin in the amygdala. Intergenerational effects of cocaine were apparent with respect to aggression and oxytocin system changes.

Effects of cocaine on aggression and associated central ERα and oxytocin expression in ovariectomized and intact mandarin voles

“…Chronic cocaine treatment has been shown to increase maternal aggression during the postpartum period (Johns et al 1994(Johns et al , 1998a, while acute treatment has been shown to decrease it (Johns et al 1994(Johns et al , 1998bMcMurray et al 2008). Here, we found that repeated cocaine exposure increased aggressive behavior in ovariectomized and sham-operated virgin females.…”

Mujeres violentas y/o delincuentes: una visión desde la perspectiva biopsicosocial

“…It has been attributed to the effect of the cocaine in the levels of oxytocin in the post-partum period (Heyser, Molina and Spear, 1992;McMurray et al, 2008). These studies have been replicated in humans, for those women that consumed cocaine during their pregnancy showed higher levels of aggression towards their babies in comparison with the mothers of the control group.…”

Prenatal and gestational cocaine exposure: Effects on the oxytocin system and social behavior with implications for addiction

“…Effects on MB wane as the postpartum period progresses and there is increasing distance from the cocaine exposure (Johns et al, 2005a; Heyser et al, 1992). CC typically increases postpartum maternal aggression (MA) towards a submissive intruder by postpartum day six (PPD6) (Johns et al, 1994; Lubin et al, 2003; McMurray et al, 2008b). Conversely, AC postpartum treatment reduces MA, leaving pups defenseless during an intruder session (Nelson et al, 1998a; McMurray et al, 2008b).…”

“…CC typically increases postpartum maternal aggression (MA) towards a submissive intruder by postpartum day six (PPD6) (Johns et al, 1994; Lubin et al, 2003; McMurray et al, 2008b). Conversely, AC postpartum treatment reduces MA, leaving pups defenseless during an intruder session (Nelson et al, 1998a; McMurray et al, 2008b). Many of the effects of cocaine treatment during or following gestation have been associated with Oxt system dysregulation in brain regions relevant to MB and MA in rats (Johns et al, 1997a; Nelson et al, 1998a; Johns et al, 1998; Vernotica et al, 1996; 1999; Lubin et al, 2003).…”