Prenatal Exposure to Quercetin Protects Against Methimazole-Induced Reflexive Motor Behavior and Oxidative Stress Markers in Mouse Offspring

Abstract

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid and one of the most powerful antioxidants. Due to its wide range of biological properties, it may improve cognitive and physical performance by affecting nervous tissue. The current study is aimed at determining the effect of prenatal exposure to quercetin against methimazole (MMI)-induced hypothyroidism on reflexive motor behavior in mouse offspring. In this study, 40 female mice were mated with 12 fertile male NMRI mice, and the pregnant mice were divided into four groups. Group 1 served as the control, Group 2 received 0.2% MMI in drinking water, Group 3 received 150 mg/kg quercetin via gavage, and Group 4 received both 0.2% MMI in drinking water and 150 mg/kg quercetin via gavage from Days 1 to 9 of gestation. The offspring were assessed for reflexive motor behaviors and conditioned fear. Catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in the neonates were also examined. The findings indicated that exposure to quercetin led to improved ambulation, hindlimb suspension, grip strength, front-limb suspension, hindlimb foot angle, negative geotaxis, surface righting, and conditioned fear behaviors in the offspring (p < 0.05). Additionally, quercetin reduced levels of MDA and increased levels of SOD, GPx, and CAT in the brain tissue (p < 0.05). These results suggested that quercetin exposure during pregnancy has positive effect on reflexive motor behaviors and antioxidant levels in mouse offspring.