Effect of lead exposure on expression of C-fos gene and capacity of learning and memory of rats

  Objective   To observe the effect of subchronic lead contaminant on the expression of C-fos mRNA in hippocampus and the capacity of learning and memory of rats.

  Methods   Subchronic acetic lead contaminant was applied on rats(0.2g·kg^-1·d^-1 as the high dose and 0.1g·kg^-1·d^-1 as the low dose)for three months.The Y-maze test was used to measure the capacity of learning and memory of each group.At the end of the experiment, the ISH(in situ hybridization) was used to observe the expression of C-fos mRNA in hippocampus after the induction of Y-maze test.

  Results   (1) In step down test the correct percentage of lead group significantly decreased compared with the control(P < 0.01).(2)

  Results   of C-fos mRNA ISH: There were few positive cells of deep colouring in hippocampus of high lead group.A few was observed in low lead group.The C-fos positive cells of deep colouring in hippocampus of control group was concentrated.

  Conclusion   The decrease of C-fos gene expression level in hippocampus had a great link with the impairment of learning and memory induced by lead in rats, and this may be one of the molecule mechanism of lead-induced impairment of learning and memory.