Effect of low-level lead exposure in uterus on neurobehavioral development of rats

  Objective   To study the impact of low-level lead exposure in uterus on the neurobehavioral development of rats.

  Methods   Female Wistar rats were exposed to PbCl₂ at dosage of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0mmol/L respectively, and their F1 pups were examined to observe the impact of lead on the early behavioral development such as cliff avoidance, surface righting, forelimb hanging, air righting, acoustic startle and visual placing.Water maze test and Y maze test were also done to detect the impact of lead on the development of learning and memory of rat pups.

  Results   2.0mmol/L PbCl₂ exposed in uterus caused the F1 Wistar rat pup's.visual placing and acoustic startle development delaying; exposed to 1.0 and 2.0mmol/L PbCl₂ in uterus, the pup's air righting were delayed and their learning and memory abilities were impaired.

  Conclusion   Low-level lead exposure in uterus impaired the neurobehavioral development of rats significantly.