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Access Type

WSU Access

Date of Award

January 2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Scott E. Bowen

Second Advisor

Susanne Brummelte

Abstract

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a global epidemic that affects women of reproductive age. Medications for OUD (MOUD) are the standard pharmacological treatment for OUD, with buprenorphine (BUP) being the preferred medication for pregnant women. However, the effects of BUP exposure on the Maternal Brain Network (MBN) and mother-infant dyad are not fully understood. The endogenous opioid system modulates many neurochemical changes in these regions during the transition to motherhood and initiation of maternal care. Therefore, exogenous prenatal opioid exposure (POE) can disrupt the MBN. This study uses a translational rodent model to examine the effects of gestational exposure to BUP as compared to morphine (MS) from preconception through the postpartum period and evaluates the comparative effects of discontinuing MS or BUP in late gestation (GD19) versus continuation through postpartum day 2 (PD2). Dams exposed to continuous BUP (BC) and discontinued BUP (BD) were found to have less proficient nest building and more instances of compromised maternal behavior than those exposed to continuous MS (MC), discontinued MS (MD), or vehicle (VEH) treated dams. Discontinuation of BUP in late gestation was related to greater maternal impairment while discontinuation of MS had a "rescue effect" on maternal behavior. BUP-exposed dams had greater impairment in adaptive maternal behaviors (nursing, licking, grooming, etc.), and fewer monoamine levels in MBN regions, which could help explain maladaptive maternal behaviors. We also report that BUP was associated with reduced gestational weight, decreased placentophagia, increased pup mortality, and compromised pup retrieval whereas MS was related to reduced postpartum weight, nest disruption in the presence of pups, increased self grooming, and increased hunting (in preconception). This research highlights the need to raise awareness of the impact of gestational opioid use on mothers, their care behavior, and their subsequent mother-infant bonds.

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