Effect of prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke on the conduction of sensory nerve fibers in the rat

Aim: To investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) on the conduction of sensory nerve fi bers in the adult rat off spring. Materials and methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to CS by inhalation during the gestation period. The saphenous nerve in the adult offspring was exposed in vivo, and the conduction parameters of the threshold, maximum strength of stimulation, conduction velocity, and amplitude of compound action potentials (CAPs) of Aαβ-, Aδ-, and C-fi bers were examined. Results: Prenatal exposure to CS induced significant reduction (P 0.005) in the peak amplitude of CAPs of Aαβ- and Aδ-fibers. The conduction velocity of Aαβ-fibers and C-fibers was significantly (P 0.025-0.05) increased aft er prenatal exposure to CS. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to CS attenuates the conduction of sensory nerve fibers in the rat saphenous nerve.