Department of Biochemistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal University, India.
Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 2011 Jun;62(2):147-53. doi: 10.2478/10004-1254-62-2011-2070.
This follow-up study investigated the effects of low-level lead exposure during prenatal and early postnatal period on learning and memory in rats immediately after exposure has ceased at weaning and later in their adulthood. Male Wistar-derived rats were exposed to lead (as 0.2 % lead acetate solution) through their mothers during pregnancy and lactation until they were weaned. Mothers of control rats were given tap water during pregnancy and lactation. All pups were weaned on tap water at 21 days of age and were followed up until 120 days old. Low-level lead exposure did not affect their body weight at any time during the experiment. Blood lead in the exposed rats was significantly higher on postnatal day 22 and dropped to control values by day 120. Passive avoidance test showed impaired memory retention in the exposed rats on postnatal days 25 and 120. This suggests that exposure to low-lead levels during foetal and early postnatal development of brain tissue can cause memory impairment that lasts into adulthood.
本后续研究调查了在断奶后和成年后立即接触停止后，孕期和产后早期低水平铅暴露对大鼠学习和记忆的影响。雄性 Wistar 衍生大鼠在孕期和哺乳期通过其母亲接触铅（作为 0.2%的醋酸铅溶液），直至断奶。对照组大鼠的母亲在孕期和哺乳期给予自来水。所有幼仔在 21 日龄时用自来水断奶，并一直随访至 120 日龄。在实验的任何时候，低水平铅暴露都不会影响它们的体重。暴露组大鼠在出生后第 22 天的血铅明显升高，并在第 120 天降至对照组水平。被动回避试验显示，暴露组大鼠在出生后第 25 天和 120 天的记忆保留受损。这表明，在脑组织的胎儿和产后早期发育过程中接触低水平铅会导致持续到成年期的记忆损伤。
