Maternal e-nicotine exposure induces sex-dependent intergenerational changes in Drosophila melanogaster model

Abstract

Prenatal exposure to maternal cigarette-smoking has lifelong consequences on offspring lung health; thus, many pregnant women switched to e-cigarettes perceiving them as safer. However, this safety has to be proven in addition to that little is known on how e-cigarettes affect the offspring9s health. Mouse models, so far, are extensively used to study the effects of inter-and transgenerational maternal nicotine exposure. Nonetheless, these models are burdened by long generation times and high breeding costs. Therefore, Drosophila melanogaster was selected for intergenerational nicotine-exposure studies due to its high fecundity, short generation time and the fact that its tracheal system shares common features in development and physiology with the mammalian airways. Aim: To establish a Drosophila melanogaster model for studying the effects of maternal e-nicotine-exposure on offspring airway development. Methods: Using a self-designed vapor apparatus, virgin female flies were exposed every hour to nicotine-vapor for a total of 8 times (controls:water vapor).E-nicotine and sham exposed female flies were, thereafter, mated with males. The F1 generation was analyzed for viability, size and weight of larvae, pupae, developmental time, weight and size of hatched flies. Results: Developmental delays during F1 larval, pupal and adult stages were observed. Moreover, the size and the weight of 1st instar larvae as well as the size of the male flies was decreased as compared to controls. Therefore, we propose that our model could be used to study molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways mediating intergenerational changes after e-nicotine exposure.