EFFECT OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO PHENCYCLIDINE ON THE POSTNATAL-DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM IN THE RAT

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of prenatal exposure to phencyclidine (PCP) on the postnatal development of the cholinergic system in the neostria-tum and the neocortex. Pregnant females were injected daily with PCP (0.5 mg/kg s.c.) from conception to parturition. On postnatal day 21 or 35, pups were injected with a challenge dose of PCP (0.5 mg/kg s.c). The levels of acetylcholine and choline were measured, as well as the incorporation of deuterium-labelled choline into newly synthesized acetylcholine in the frontal cortex and neostriatum. The data demonstrate that even at 21 days, rat pups exposed to PCP in utero were more sensitive to a challenge dose of PCP than the saline controls. Thus, a tolerance to PCP, even after a prolonged prenatal exposure did not develop. © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel.