ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the influence of the lactation exposure to fluoxetine on offspring's behavior and serotonin transporter (SERT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH). Methods Six SD pregnant rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=3 each group). Experimental maternal rats were intraperitoneally injected with fluoxetine at a dose of 12 mg/kg from postnatal day 5 to 21. The control group were injected with the same amount of normal saline. In infancy, the offspring's weight, hair length, eye opening and auditory development were measured. The free suspension test and bur?ied food pellets test were applied to evaluate the offspring's behaviors. After postnatal day 21, all the offspring were wean. At early childhood (P35d) and adulthood (P75d), 6 offspring rats from each group were executed to examine SERT and TPH in the prefrontal cortex by immunohistochemistry. Results The offspring's weight of experimental group was significantly lower than control group (P<0.05). The sensitivity of auditory in experimental group was significantly higher than control group (P<0.01). The time of free suspension in experimental group significantly was decreased comparing to control group (P<0.01). The SERT and TPH in prefrontal cortex was significantly lower in experimental group than those in control group either at childhood (P35d) or at adulthood (P75d) (P<0.05). Conclusion Lactation exposure to fluoxetine re?sults in offspring's abnormal development and behaviors through down-regulation of SERT and TPH in the prefrontal cor?tex.