Effect of gestational and neonatal styrene exposure on dopamine receptors

The effect of styrene (200 mg/kg, orally) on dopamine receptor binding using 3H-spiroperidol as a specific ligand was studied in developing rats. Gestational exposure caused no significant change in the binding of 3H-spiroperidol to striatal membranes of pups at 2 and 3 weeks of age. However, styrene exposure during lactation and the gestation-lactation period caused a significant increase in binding of 3H-spiroperidol. Scatchard analysis revealed that styrene exposure caused an increase in the number of receptor sites without affecting their affinity. Results of behavioral studies (amphetamine-induced locomotor activity and apomorphine-induced stereotypy) showed that styrene exposure during the gestation-lactation period caused a significant increase in motor activity and stereotypy of the rat pups. These behavioral and biochemical studies suggest that early postnatal exposure to styrene affects dopaminergic function.