Single and multiple sevoflurane exposures during pregnancy and offspring behavior in mice

Summary Background The second trimester is a period of neurogenesis and neuronal migration, which can be affected by exposure to anesthetics. Studies also suggest that multiple exposures may have a greater impact on neurodevelopment. Aim We investigated whether in utero single or multiple exposures to anesthetics caused long‐term behavior changes. Methods Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups on gestational day 14 (GD 14). Mice in the Control × 1 group were exposed to 100% oxygen for 150 min. Mice in the Sevo × 1 group were also exposed to 100% oxygen for 150 min, except that 2.5% sevoflurane was added during the first 120 min. Mice in the Control × 3 and Sevo × 3 group were identically treated as Control × 1 and Sevo × 1 group for three consecutive days, respectively (GD 14–16). Behavioral tests were performed only with the male offspring at the age of 2–4 months. Synaptic plasticity was also compared by inducing long‐term potentiation in acute hippocampal slices. Results Single or multiple sevoflurane exposures in pregnant mice during the second trimester did not cause long‐lasting behavioral consequences or changes in long‐term synaptic plasticity of their offspring. Conclusion Our study suggests that neither single nor multiple exposures of mice to sevoflurane during the fetal developmental period induces long‐term behavioral dysfunctions or affects long‐term synaptic plasticity. Additional studies focusing on early stages of neurodevelopment are necessary to confirm the effects of sevoflurane exposure during pregnancy.