Date of Award

5-2022

Degree Type

Thesis-Restricted

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Psychology

Department

Psychology

Major Professor

Christopher Harshaw

Abstract

Epidemiological studies reported associations between early-life exposure Acetaminophen (APAP) exposure and increased risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Rodent studies parallel epidemiological reports, with APAP-exposed animals showing more abnormal social and increased repetitive behaviors. However, mechanisms underlying sex-specific behavioral responses to APAP remain unclear. Here, a rat model was developed to examine possible interactions between APAP and early-life hormonal milieus during the neonatal period of brain sexual differentiation. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of either 17�-Estradiol (E2; masculinized) or Letrozole (LTZ; feminized) were administered from Postnatal Days (PD) 1-11 followed by either APAP or saline 45 min after the first injection on PD 5, 8, and 11. Behavioral assays of play, social conditioned place preference, mate preference, and motor/anxiety behaviors were assessed. Results revealed interactions between sex, APAP, and E2 (and LTZ) on all behavioral outcomes. These results indicate that APAP may produce sex-specific behavioral responses by interacting with early-life hormonal milieus.

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The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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