Remodeled salt appetite in rat offspring by perinatal exposure to nicotine.

To determine the effect of perinatal exposure to nicotine on water intake and salt appetite related to renin-angiotensin system in the offspring, maternal rats during perinatal period [gestation (G) or gestation plus lactation (G+L)] were subcutaneously administrated with nicotine. Four months after birth, intake of 1.8% NaCl and water was measured following 24h water deprivation in the adult offspring, and angiotensin receptors in the brain were determined.

The effect of prenatal nicotine on expression of nicotine receptor subunits in the fetal brain.

Previous studies have suggested that prenatal exposure to nicotine is associated with abnormal development in fetuses, including fetal brain damage. The present study determined the effect of maternal administration of nicotine during different gestational periods on brain nicotine receptor subunits in fetal rats. Subcutaneous injections of nicotine in maternal rats from the early and middle gestation decreased fetal blood PO2, increased fetal blood PCO2 and hemoglobin, and decreased fetal brain weight.

Fetal functional capabilities in response to maternal hypertonicity associated with altered central and peripheral angiotensinogen mRNA in rats.

Although a number of studies have shown neural, hormonal, and behavioral capabilities in the control of body fluid regulation under conditions of dehydration in adults, limited information is available on the development of fetal functional abilities in response to osmotic challenge in rats. This study was performed to investigate the influence of maternal hypertonicity on fetal osmoregulatory capabilities at late gestational time in rats. Maternal and fetal plasma osmolality and blood sodium levels were determined and compared at continuous time points from 0.