Effect of inhalation of enflurane in early pregnancy on cognitive function in offsprings of rats

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of inhalation of enflurane in the early pregnancy on the cognitive function in the offsprings of rats. Methods Thirty 8-10 day pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups （ n = 10 each）： control group （group C）, 4 h inhalation of enflurane group （group E1 ） and 8 h inhalation of enflurane group （group E2）. Group E1 and E2 inhaled 1.7% entlurane （in O2 2 L/min） for 4 and 8 h respectively, while group C inhaled oxygen 2 L/min for 8 h. The learning and memory functions of the offsprings were assessed at 20 and 30 days after birth by Morris water maze test. Results Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was significantly decreased and the staying time at the original platform quadrant was significantly shortened at 3-5 days after the test in group E1 and E2 （ P 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in the indexes metioned above between group E1 and E2 （ P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion Inhalation of enflurane in the early pregnancy can result in cognitive dysfunction in the offsprings of the rats. Key words: Anesthetics, inhalation; Pregnancy trimester, first; Cognition