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Effect of Perinatal Lead Exposure on the Social Behaviour
of Laboratory Mice Offspring at Adolescent Age
Qasim M. Abu-Taweel and Jamaan S. Ajarem
Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University,
P.O.Box 2455, Riyadh - 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
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Lead ( Pb ) was given to Swiss-Webster female mice at the concentrations
of 0.1 and 0.2% ( w/v ) , containing 550 and 1100ppm of lead respectively, in
their drinking water. Treatment started from day 1 of pregnancy until day 15
postnatally . Thereafter, the dams were switched to plain tap water. After the
weaning period ( 21 days ), all male offspring were isolated (one animal per
cage) for 14 days, and the isolated male offspring were subjected to “Standard
Opponent” test at the age of 36 days . the results of this test showed a
significant and dose-dependent increase in the non-social behaviour , whereas
such results showed a significant decline in the social behaviour including naso-genital
and naso-nasal contact, number of fights, rear, wall rear and displacement
activities of the Pb exposed young adult male offspring. The present perinatal
Pb effects in the male offspring are possibly via in utero exposure and/or via
mother’s milk .
Key Words: lead; perinatal exposure; mice offspring; standard opponent test;
social behaviour.
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