Diphenyl diselenide changes behavior in female pups.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Toxicology
• Organoselenium Chemistry

Background:

• Organoselenium compounds, such as diphenyl diselenide ((PhSe)(2)), are known to influence neuronal processes.
• Understanding the impact of maternal exposure to these compounds during critical developmental windows is crucial for assessing potential risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of maternal subcutaneous administration of diphenyl diselenide on the physical, reflexologic, and behavioral development of Wistar rat offspring.
• To assess the impact of (PhSe)(2) exposure on brain selenium levels and body weight in developing rat pups.

Main Methods:

• Wistar rat dams were administered 25 mg/kg of (PhSe)(2) daily from postnatal day 1 to 21.
• Physical and reflexologic parameters were assessed pre-weaning.
• Behavioral tests including the elevated plus-maze (EPM), open-field, and rotarod were conducted on 28-day-old pups.

Main Results:

• Maternal (PhSe)(2) exposure significantly increased selenium levels in offspring brains by approximately 41%.
• A statistically significant decrease in body weight was observed in both male and female pups during lactation.
• (PhSe)(2) induced a gender-specific disinhibitory effect in the EPM, increasing open arm entries and duration in females, while increasing locomotor activity and rearing in both sexes in the open field.

Conclusions:

• Maternal diphenyl diselenide exposure during early postnatal development leads to increased brain selenium levels in Wistar rat offspring.
• This exposure alters developmental and behavioral parameters, including anxiety-like behaviors and locomotor activity, with notable gender differences.