Phencyclidine: Effects of chronic administration in the female mouse on gestation, maternal behavior, and the neonates

Abstract

Phencyclidine (PCP) (5 mg/kg) was administered daily throughout gestation and pups were cross-fostered or fostered after birth. Prenatal weight gain, length of gestation, length of parturition, and the size and birth weight of the litters were not affected by PCP administration. No congenital malformations were evidence and the mother's health during chronic exposure remained normal. Physical development of the pups (indicated by neonatal weight gain, pinna opening, and eye opening), and neurological development (indicated by the maturity of four reflex actions) were normal for the PCP pups. Behaviorally, PCP pups were slightly more active in the open field at 60 days. Maternal behavior was not influenced by drug treatment, but was affected by the fostering procedures.