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Effect of fetal hypoxia on seizure susceptibility in rats
P L De Riu1, P Mameli, A Becciu
1Department of Traumatology, Orthopedy and Occupational Medicine, University of Turin, Italy.
In the present study, susceptibility to Pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures was tested in 45 four-wk old rats born to mothers exposed to moderate asphyxia in the last week of pregnancy by breathing N2 99.9% for 6 min in two separate sessions, (Group I--experimental rats) and in 44 rats of the same age, born after a normal pregnancy (Group II--controls). The results showed that the experimental rats, following episodes of asphyxia in intrauterine life, had a higher susceptibility to PTZ-induced seizures than the controls, manifested by earlier onset of convulsions and a higher incidence of fetal epileptic status. This occurred despite normal development and the absence of neurological deficits in the experimental rats in the first 4 wk of extrauterine life.
In the present study, susceptibility to Pentylentetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures was tested in 45 four-wk old rats born to mothers exposed to moderate asphyxia in the last week of pregnancy by breathing N2 99.9% for 6 min in two separate sessions, (Group I--experimental rats) and in 44 rats of the same age, born after a normal pregnancy (Group II--controls). The results showed that the experimental rats, following episodes of asphyxia in intrauterine life, had a higher susceptibility to PTZ-induced seizures than the controls, manifested by earlier onset of convulsions and a higher incidence of fetal epileptic status. This occurred despite normal development and the absence of neurological deficits in the experimental rats in the first 4 wk of extrauterine life.