Rats offspring exposed to Ipomoea carnea and handling during gestation:: Neurochemical evaluation

The present study evaluated the central monoamine levels of male and female adult rat offspring exposed orally by gavage to 0.0, 0.7, 3.0 and 15.0 mg/kg I. carnea aqueous extract daily, from gestation day (GD) 5 to GD 21. Several alterations in the monoamine activity systems were observed. However, the major differences were noted between the 0.0 mg/kg and the no gavage control groups, showing that alterations showing that alterations were not due to the alterations to the aqueous extract. The control data showed that gavage and handling of dams were stressful enough to produce a significant decline in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and an increase in vanilmandelic acid (VMA), indicating decreased dopamine (DA) and enhanced norepinephrine (NE) activity, respectively.