NEONATAL LEAD-EXPOSURE IN RATS .1. EFFECTS ON ACTIVITY AND BRAIN METALS

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (5) , 527-531
Abstract
Upon parturition, Sprague-Dawley dams were administered 1.0(LL), 2.5 (ML), 5.0 (HL) mg/ml of lead acetate or 1.25 mg/ml sodium acetate (C) in their drinking water. Pups were weaned to tap water at 22 days of age. The developmental pattern of neonatal activity was characterized by monitoring spontaneous activity of single pups for 30 min on days 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, and for 1 h in adults. Brains were removed at weaning for subsequent analyses of Pb, Zn and Cu. The effects of Pb on neonatal activity were considered to be minor because only the ML group differed significantly from C and exhibited hyperactivity on day 16. Adult activity levels were decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. At 22 days of age, whole brain metal analyses revealed a dose-dependent increase in Pb levels and a decrease in Zn. These results do not strongly support a hypothesis of Pb-induced neonatal hyperactivity [in children].