ABSTRACT
Aim To investigate the effects of maternal chronic aluminum exposure on memorial behaviour and hippocampal intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i)on their offspring after the induction of LTP(long-term potentiation). Methods Adult Wistar rats (150~200 g) were exposed to aluminum by drinking distilled water, the concentration of AlCl3 is 0.015 mol?L-1(2 g?L-1) and 0.03 mol?L-1(4 g?L-1) aluminum chloride (AlCl3) solution, respectively, for 30 days prior to mating and during the whole gestation and suckling period. Their offspring were distributed into three experimental groups: control group; two exposed groups (represented by 0.2%-Al and 0.4%-Al ) administrated aluminum exposure ended at postnatal day 21. The brain tissue and blood aluminum levels were measured by Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Memorial ability of the offspring was tested by Step down test.[Ca2+]i was measured by the technique of Fura-2/AM calcium ions fluorescence indicator. Results The mean aluminum content in blood and brain tissue was significantly higher than the control group(P0.05), but was significantly decreased in 0.4%-Al exposed group(P