Perinatal cocaine exposure inhibits the development of the male SDN

摘要: The sexually dimorphic nucleus of the hypothalamus (SDN) is involved in sexual differentiation rat brain. Perinatal cocaine exposure was found to significantly reduce volume male SDN (P < 0.001) while having no effect upon female SDN. Pregnant dams and their pups were exposed either saline, 7.5, 15, or 30 mg/kg from gestational day 15 through postnatal 10. Litter size, pup weight, male-female sex ratio, gross birth defects unaffected, but maternal weight gain reduced cocaine-treated dams. These findings imply that males perinatally during critical period may exhibit compromised coital capabilities as well impaired gonadotropin regulation.