EFFECTS OF PRENATAL AND CONTINUED LEAD-EXPOSURE ON ACTIVITY LEVELS IN THE MOUSE

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 4  (1) , 9-14
Abstract
Binghamton heterogenous (HET) stock mice were exposed to 0.5% lead acetate solution from conception through adulthood. Activity was measured in an open field, shuttle-box and the home cage. Independent groups of animals were tested at several ages in the light (day) and dark (night). Despite significant blood Pb level differences between control and Pb-treated animals, developmental and activity differences between groups were restricted to selected measures. Pb-treatment altered jumping in the open field and some consummatory behaviors in the home cage. This research did not provide support for a model which proposed a simple, direct relationship between low level Pb toxicity and hyperactive behavior. Future research should focus on the specific conditions under which activity is measured. Animal parallels to a human hyperactive disorder may need to be reformulated in terms of attention deficits which mark the childhood disorder.