Physiology & Pharmacology
Neda Moulaei; Mehdi Sadegh; Mohammad Reza Palizvan; Mahdieh Mondanizadeh; Narges-al-sadat Haeri
Volume 24, Issue 1 , March and April 2017, , Pages 17-27
Abstract
Background & Objectives: According to the increasing opioids abuse between women and pathophysiological effects of chronic exposure of opioids on mothers which might indirectly affect their offspring, herein, consequences of chronic morphine consumption and its withdrawal before the gestation was ...
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Background & Objectives: According to the increasing opioids abuse between women and pathophysiological effects of chronic exposure of opioids on mothers which might indirectly affect their offspring, herein, consequences of chronic morphine consumption and its withdrawal before the gestation was investigated on spatial memory, avoidance memory and vulnerability to morphine intake in offspring of first generation.
Materials & Methods: Twelve female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. Morphine mothers group received morphine solution (0.4 mg/ml) for two months. Control mothers group received tab water. One month after stopping morphine consumption, mating was occurred. After the parturition, offspring was divided in separated male and female groups and was used as the target groups of the study. Spatial memory through Water Maze, avoidance memory through Shuttle Box and vulnerability to morphine intake through voluntary consumption of morphine solution were investigated.
Results: Mean of morphine solution consumption in male and female offspring of morphine mothers was significantly higher in compare to male and female offspring of control mothers (P<0.05). Results of learning in Water Maze revealed that male offspring of morphine mothers significantly spent more time and distance to find the platform in compare with male offspring of control (P<0.01). Also, in retention test, male offspring of morphine mothers cross the location of platform significantly fewer than male offspring of control (P<0.001). There was no significant differences in avoidance learning between experimental groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Our study revealedchronic morphine consumption before the gestation causesdamage of spatial memory in male offspring and also increases vulnerability to opiate intake of male and female offspring.