Effects of acrylamide given during gestation on dopamine receptor binding in rat pups.

Acrylamide (20 mg/kg) was administered by gavage to time-pregnant Fischer 344 rats daily from day 7 to day 16 of gestation. Acrylamide did not affect the number, size, or body weights of litters obtained but did decrease the [3H]spiroperidol binding in striatal membranes of 2-week-old pups. This effect could not be seen at 3 weeks of age. Scatchard analysis showed that acrylamide changed the affinity as well as the number of dopamine receptor sites. There were no signs of maternal toxicity in dosed mothers as evaluated by their body weights or general appearance.