Lactational exposure to sulpiride: Assessment of maternal care and reproductive and behavioral parameters of male rat pups

Dopaminergic receptor antagonists may be used as galactagogues because they increase serum prolactin (PRL) by counteracting the inhibitory influence of dopamine on PRL secretion. The antipsychotic drug sulpiride (SUL) is documented to be effective as a galactagogue, but it is transferred through milk to the neonates. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if maternal exposure to SUL during lactation could disrupt maternal care and/or male offspring reproductive development. The dams were treated daily (gavage) with SUL 2.5mg/kg or 25mg/kg during lactation. Maternal behavior was analyzed on lactational days 5 and 10. In offspring, reproductive and behavioral parameters were analyzed at different time points. SUL treatment did not impair maternal care, but caused testicular damage in male offspring. At postnatal day 90, a reduction in testis weight, volume of seminiferous tubule and histopathological alterations such as an increased percentage of abnormal seminiferous tubules were observed. Data shows that maternal exposure to SUL during lactation may impact the reproductive development of male rats and the testes seem to be the main target organ at adulthood.