α4-containing nicotinic receptors contribute to the effects of perinatal nicotine on ventilatory and metabolic responses of neonatal mice to ambient cooling

Abstract

Among numerous studies, perinatal nicotine exposure (PN) has had variable effects on respiratory control in the neonatal period. The effects of acute nicotine exposure on breathing are largely mediated by α4-containing nicotine acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptors are also involved in thermoregulatory responses induced by both acetylcholine and nicotine. We therefore hypothesized that α4 - containing nAChRs would mediate the effects of PN on the metabolic and ventilatory responses of neonates to modest cold exposure. WT and α4 knock-out (KO) mice were exposed to 6 mg kg-1day-1nicotine or vehicle from embryonic day 14. At postnatal day (P) 7 mice were cooled from an ambient tempe..