ree separate groups: nicotine infused, a saline infused, and a control.The TestAfter the mice were mated and conception was guaranteed (the formation of vaginal plugs detected), the mothers were separated into three separate groups. Approximately 1 day after conception, the three testing agents (chemicals) began to be administered to the three test groups. Upon parturition (giving birth), the mothers immediately stopped receiving the chemicals and they and their litters were secluded into their own cages apart from the other litters. The offspring were then sacrificed periodically on postnatal days (after birth) to insure the detection of nicotine receptor changes in conjunction with development. The daily intervals went 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 days. Upon being sacrificed (by means of cervical dislocation), the brains were removed, rinsed with distilled water, and dissected into seven brain regions. All of these regions were then put through a scientific process (which is very difficult to understand and nearly impossible to explain) to rid them from all remaining chemicals. After this process was completed, the brain regions were then tested against the chemical agents specific to their experimental groups to see how their response had be effected in contrast to one another.The ResultsOnce the data was collected from each group there were some prominent differences and changes in the nicotinic receptors evident amongst the three groups. The group that received the nicotine chemical had a significantly higher response in the nicotine receptors of several of the brain regions than the other two groups. As the developmental intervals increased between parturition and sacrifice, the responses weakened indicating the breaking down of receptors and ultimately brain function which could be linked to birth defects and many other problems which have been associated with tobacco use of pregnant mothers. The second group which received a...
