Sensorimotor development in rat neonates exposed to 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate, a progestin used in obstetrics.

Introduction: 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) is prescribed to pregnant individuals at risk for preterm birth during critical periods of fetal cortical maturation. Yet, the potential long-term effects of 17-OHPC on neural and behavioral development in children are unknown. Nuclear progesterone receptor (PR) is expressed in all functional regions of rat cortex during development. The hypothesis that developmental exposure to 17-OHPC alters sensorimotor development was tested.

Methods: Sensorimotor behaviors were observed in neonates administered 17-OHPC from the day of birth through postnatal day 11, and PR was quantified in cortex at P11.

Results: 17-OHPC administration resulted in a disruption in sensorimotor indicators of typical brain development, without affecting gross motor function. 17-OHPC-exposed rats had significantly fewer PR-immunoreactive nuclei in somatosensory cortex.

Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that 17-OHPC exposure during critical periods of cortical development may impact sensorimotor development and cortical sensitivity to progestins, highlighting the need for further investigation on the clinical implications of this progestin.