Effect of prolonged anesthesia with propofol during early pregnancy on cognitive function of offspring rats

Objective To evaluate the effects of prolonged anesthesia with propofol during the early pregnancy on cognitive function of offspring rats.Methods One hundred and twenty female Sprague-Dawley rats at 5-7 days of gestation,weighing 280-320 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),and propofol 2,4 and 8 h groups (P2,P4,P8 groups).In P2,P4,P8 groups,after propofol 20 mg/kg was injected intravenously,propofol was infused at 20 mg· kg-1 · h-1 for 2,4 and 8 h,respectively.In group C,normal saline 2 ml/kg was infused intravenously.At 30,31,32,33,34,35 and 36 days after birth,Morris Water maze was performed to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of offspring rats.At the end of Morris water maze test,the hippocampus of offspring rats was removed for microscopic examination of pathological changes with light and electron microscope.Results Compared with group C,the escape latencywas significantly prolonged,the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased,and the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened in p4 and P8 groups,and no significant changes were found in the indices mentioned above in group P2.The pathological changes of hippocampi were not found in C and P2 groups,while the pathological changes were obvious in P4 and P8 groups.Conclusion Prolonged anesthesia with propofol during the early pregnancy can induce cognitive dysfunction of offspring rats and the mechanism is related to the damage to hippocampal tissues. Key words: Propofol;  Pregnancy trimester, first;  Cognition disorders