Behavioral Effects of Fluprazine in Lactating Hamsters and in Their Progeny

The spontaneous behavior of dams and pups was observed during lactation period, following daily i.p. administration of fluprazine (8 mg/kg/day) to females after parturition. Ethological techniques were applied, scanning every 30 min through 8 hr per day. Chronic treatment with fluprazine hydrochloride (DU 27716) to lactating hamsters, decreased nest building and self-grooming, disrupted pup retrieval, and increased infanticide. Other behaviors, such as nursing, exploration, attention, and ingestion were not altered indicating lack of sedative effects. Pups from fluprazine-treated mothers showed a decrease in the activity level, as well as lower mean weight than control infants. This suggests an interference on the mother-infant interactions, and/or fluprazine effects by drug or metabolites transfer via breast milk. Some sensorial (olfactory interference) and emotional (stress and fear) factors are considered as possible mechanisms for the behavioral action of fluprazine.