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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents
Published on: September 1, 2011
Effects of developmental fluoride exposure on rat ultrasonic vocalization, acoustic startle reflex and pre-pulse
P Flace1, V Benagiano, D Vermesan
1Department of Human Anatomy and Histology "R. Amprino", Medical School, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Insights
Prenatal fluoride exposure in rats reduced ultrasonic vocalizations in male pups and altered adult startle responses. This suggests developmental fluoride exposure may impact neurodevelopment and sensory gating, relevant to neurological disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Toxicology
- Behavioral Pharmacology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to environmental toxins can impact neurodevelopment.
- Fluoride is a common environmental agent with potential neurotoxic effects.
- Understanding developmental impacts is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of developmental fluoride exposure on rat pup ultrasonic vocalizations (UV).
- To assess the impact of developmental fluoride exposure on adult acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and pre-pulse inhibition (PPI).
- To evaluate the utility of newborn rat reactivity as a model for neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Main Methods:
- Rats received sodium fluoride (NaF) during pregnancy and lactation.
- Ultrasonic vocalizations were recorded in 10-day-old male pups.
- Acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) were measured in 90-day-old male rats.
Main Results:
- Male pups exposed to 5.0 mg/kg NaF showed reduced ultrasonic vocalizations.
- Adult male rats exhibited increased PPI and reduced peak startle response to acoustic stimuli.
- These behavioral changes suggest altered sensory-motor gating and reactivity.
Conclusions:
- Developmental fluoride exposure can lead to lasting behavioral alterations in male rats.
- Newborn rat reactivity, assessed via UV, may serve as an early indicator of neurodevelopmental impact.
- ASR and PPI in adulthood are sensitive measures for studying effects relevant to attention and sensory-motor gating deficits in psychiatric disorders.
Abstract:
Rats receiving fluoride during the whole pregnancy up to the 9th day of lactation showed, when isolated at 10th day of life, a reduced rate of ultrasonic vocalizations (UV) in male pups (NaF 5.0 mg) and, in 90th days male rats, an increase of the Pre-Pulse Inhibition (PPI) with a reduction of the Peak response to the Startle stimulus given alone. Newborn rat reactivity could represent a useful and validated model in anxiety studies which could be moored with the Acoustic Startle Reflex (ASR) and PPI, appropriate models to study, in adulthood, particular neurological and psychiatric disorders showing deficits in attention and sensory-motor gating (Tourettes' syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorders, Huntington's disease and schizophrenia).
