Effect of lactational exposure of olanzapine on body weight of mice: a comparative study on neonates of both the sexes during post-natal development

Abstract

Adverse impact of atypical antipsychotic drugs on body weight of adult and juvenile groups has been well-documented both at clinical and preclinical investigations. However, studies on impact of drug on body weight during fetal or neonatal development received little attention. The present study is the first-ever preclinical investigation demonstrating the effect of lactational exposure of olanzapine (4, 8, and 10 mg/kg) and risperidone (1 and 2 mg/kg), two widely prescribed antipsychotics, on body weight of mice neonates. Body weight gain was observed with both the drugs, although a sex-related differential response was noted. In olanzapine-exposed female neonates, the weight gain was more with the highest dose. Male neonates showed a reverse trend, i.e. the highest gain with the lowest dose. Female neonates exposed to risperidone also showed significant, but less gain as compared to their olanzapine-exposed counterparts. Risperidone-exposed male neonates showed little body weight gain. Waist-to-hip ratio and plasma prolactin level were measured to explain the reason behind the body weight gain, but there were deviations with respect to drug and sex. The body weight gain may be the overall manifestations of drug-induced endocrine and metabolic dysregulations.