Effects of subchronic versus acute in utero exposure to dexmedetomidine on foetal developments in rats

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of in utero exposure of dexmedetomidine on foetal development and postnatal behaviour in the offspring. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were chronically treated with dexmedetomidine (0, 5, 10 and 20 microg/kg, subcutaneously) daily from gestation day 7 to day 19.

Another group of animals received only a single acute dose of dexmedetomidine (20 microg/kg) on gestational day 19 to mimic a model for systemic analgesia during labour. In conclusion, acute exposure to dexmedetomidine at the anticipated delivery time does not exert any adverse effects on perinatal morphology of pups, their birth weight, crown-rump length, physical growth and postnatal behavioural performances.

Since this study was conducted in rats, its clinical relevance in human beings remains to be unclear and warrants further studies.