NEURO-BEHAVIORAL TOXICITY OF TRIETHYLTIN IN RATS AS A FUNCTION OF AGE AT POSTNATAL EXPOSURE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (4) , 9-21
Abstract
Triethyltin (TET) was neurotoxic when injected on postnatal day (PND)5. The toxicity of a single exposure to TET at several postnatal ages was studied. Ratpups were injected i.p. with 0 (saline), 1.5, 3.0 or 6.0 mg/kg TET bromide on PND 1, 5, 10 or 15. In agreement with previous data. PND-5 exposure to 6 mg/kg TET produced behavioral toxicity and decreased adult brain weight. High dose pups were less successful in descending on a rope at 20 and 21 days of age, and were hyperactive in figure-eight mazes at 29-30 and 57-58 days of age. The spatial distribution of activity was also altered: photocell counts were increased primarily in the figure-eight area of the maze. The size of the milk bands was reduced in 6 mg/kg pups injected on PND 1 or 5. Preweaning growth was decreased following all injection ages; this reduction was most pronounced for pups exposed to TET on PND 1 and 5. Mating behavior was disrupted in 6 mg/kg males irrespective of age at exposure. These data demonstrated a differential sensitivity to the toxicity of TET during postnatal life, with maximal susceptibility on PND 5.