Alteration in maternal behaviors of mice exposed to alpha-naphthoflavone

Maternal behaviors are indispensable for offspring survival in mammalian reproduction. We observed disrupting actions of a flavonoid, alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF), on maternal behaviors in mice given the ANF dose that was reported to resolve metabolic disorders in adult mice. The quantitative nest assessment method we developed revealed that nest-building rates were 23.4 ± 9.8 and 6.9 ± 7.4 mm/day in control and low-dose groups, respectively, during gestational days (GD) 12-13. The exposed animals continued to be affected during the experimental period (GD 12-15). At a higher dose, nest building and maintenance were compromised. Additionally, the affected mice spent more time outside the nest, with atypical behaviors for pregnant mice. ANF and structurally related compounds have drawn interest for their potentially beneficial effects on energy and drug metabolism. Since a pregnant mouse model indicated that ANF alters maternal behaviors, flavonoids like ANF should be carefully evaluated in health impact assessments.