Related Experiment Videos
Developmental and behavioral effects of early postnatal exposure to triethyltin in rats
Insights
A single exposure to triethyltin bromide (TET) in developing rats permanently altered brain development and behavior, establishing a model for developmental neurotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Triethyltin bromide (TET) is a known neurotoxicant.
- Developmental exposure to toxicants can lead to lasting neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of acute postnatal triethyltin bromide exposure on rat development and behavior.
- To establish a model for developmental neurotoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Rat pups were administered single doses of triethyltin bromide (0, 3, 6, 9, or 12 mg/kg) on postnatal Day 5.
- Behavioral tests were conducted during preweaning and adulthood.
- Body weight, brain weight, and various behavioral parameters were assessed.
Main Results:
- High doses of TET caused significant mortality.
- TET exposure led to transient body weight reduction and permanent brain weight decrease.
- Preweaning rats showed impaired motor skills and reduced activity.
- Adult rats exhibited increased activity in the figure-eight maze.
Conclusions:
- A single postnatal exposure to triethyltin bromide induces permanent alterations in brain structure and behavior in developing rats.
- Acute postnatal toxicant exposure serves as a valuable model for studying developmental neurotoxicity.
Abstract:
On Day 5 of postnatal life, rat pups received a single injection of triethyltin and were later tested for a variety of developmental and adult behaviors. A within-litter dosing design was used with one male and one female from each litter (N = 8 pups/litter) receiving either 0 (normal saline vehicle), 3, 6 or a high dose of either 9 or 12 mg/kg triethyltin bromide (TET). The high doses of TET produced 50% and 80% mortality, respectively. For the 3 and 6 mg/kg groups, TET-exposure resulted in a transient decrease in body weight, and a permanent decrease in brain weight. Preweaning TET-exposed pups were less successful in descending a rope, and were less active in both a homing orientation test and a figure-eight maze. When tested as adults, however, these animals were consistently more active than controls in the figure-eight maze. These results indicate that a single exposure to TET in ;the developing rat, unlike the adult, produces permanent alterations in both brain and behavior. Acute postnatal exposure to toxicants may have general applicability as a model for developmental neurotoxicity.