Yu Peng, Chen Zhuo, Zhao Haochi, Cao Ruidong, Chen Lingyun, Su Junhu, Ning Yingzhi
Institute of Behavioral and Physical Sciences, College of Life Sciences, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
Institute of Rodent Control, Pratacultural College, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu, China.
Physiol Behav. 2020 May 15;219:112848. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112848. Epub 2020 Feb 21.
Quinestrol and levonorgestrel (EP-1, at a ratio of 1:2) are often used as anti-fertility compounds (sterilants) in rodents. As most of the research has focused on the sterility and damage caused in parental reproductive organs, there is little research on the effect of these contraceptive hormones on maternal behavior and offspring's early development. In this study, we examined maternal behavior after treatment with different doses of EP-1 (10 ml/kg) at postnatal days 3 and 10, separately. Various parameters were measured after treatment, including oxytocin expression, serum levels of estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH), ovary damage after weaning of offspring, as well as the development and ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of midday gerbil (Meriones meridianus) offspring. At postnatal days 5 and 12, the EP-1 increased maternal licking, grooming, and retrieving behavior, while reducing contacting behavior. Oxytocin expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei increased, while the levels of estradiol and LH decreased. The ovaries and the development of follicles were clearly affected by the treatment. The EP-1 significantly reduced the pups' body weight, the amount and pulse duration of USVs, whereas the frequency range variation of USVs was increased. Overall, treatment with EP-1 during lactation significantly affected maternal behavior and impaired offspring early development in the midday gerbil.
炔雌醚和左炔诺孕酮（EP - 1，比例为1:2）常被用作啮齿动物的抗生育化合物（绝育剂）。由于大多数研究集中在对亲代生殖器官造成的不育和损害上，关于这些避孕激素对母性行为和后代早期发育的影响的研究很少。在本研究中，我们分别在出生后第3天和第10天用不同剂量的EP - 1（10毫升/千克）处理后，检查了母性行为。处理后测量了各种参数，包括催产素表达、雌二醇和促黄体生成素（LH）的血清水平、后代断奶后的卵巢损伤，以及子午沙鼠（Meriones meridianus）后代的发育和超声发声（USV）。在出生后第5天和第12天，EP - 1增加了母鼠的舔舐、梳理和找回行为，同时减少了接触行为。下丘脑室旁核和视上核中的催产素表达增加，而雌二醇和LH水平下降。卵巢和卵泡的发育明显受到该处理的影响。EP - 1显著降低了幼崽的体重、USV的数量和脉冲持续时间，而USV的频率范围变化增加。总体而言，哺乳期用EP - 1处理显著影响了子午沙鼠的母性行为，并损害了后代的早期发育。
