Effect of paracetamol treatment on maternal care and reproductive outcomes in female rat offspring

Reprod Fertil Dev. 2020 Dec;32(18):1311-1325. doi: 10.1071/RD20007.

Abstract

Paracetamol (PAR) is one of the most commonly used drugs by pregnant women because it is considered safe for the mother and fetus. However, PAR is transferred into breast milk and crosses the blood-placental barrier, being present in the progeny during important stages of development. Intrauterine exposure to PAR may decrease the anogenital distance and follicle reserve in female rodent offspring. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether maternal PAR treatment altered the reproductive behaviour of dams and the sexual development of female rat offspring. Pregnant Wistar rats were gavaged daily with 350mg kg-1 day-1 PAR or water during gestation (from Gestation Day (GD) 6 until delivery) or during gestation and lactation (from GD6 until weaning). Maternal PAR treatment had maternal effects (increased grooming behaviour), and resulted in impaired sexual behaviour, decreased follicle reserve and increased plasma oestradiol concentrations in female offspring.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Estrous Cycle / blood
  • Estrous Cycle / drug effects
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Maternal Behavior / drug effects*
  • Maternal Exposure / adverse effects
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / blood
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / chemically induced
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reproduction / drug effects
  • Sexual Maturation / drug effects

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Acetaminophen