Effects of microcystin exposure to open field behavior and cognitive function of rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo observe the potential effects of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) to open field behaviors and cognitive functions of rats after low-dose and 60 days exposure.Methods20 SD male rats (4 weeks old) were grouped into control ( double distilled water),0.2,1.0 and 5.0 μg/kg groups by random number table.Rats were exposed to microcystin-LR intragastrically every two days for 60 d.Open fields and Morris water maze were employed to observe the spontaneous behavior and spatial learning and memory capacity of rats.ResultsFor each group,the duration in the central area of open field were ( 8.86 ± 3.38 ) s,( 3.09 ± 1.22 ) s,( 1.68 ± 0.24) s,(1.22 ±0.93) s,frequencies in central area were (4.80 ± 1.16) times,(4.40 ± 1.91 )times,( 1.40 ±0.23)times,(3.80 ± 1.02 ) times,movement duration were ( 137.30 ± 5.25 ) s,( 122.97 ± 9.50) s,( 108.86 ± 6.38 ) s,( 129.35 ± 9.40) s,the escape latency were ( 23.17 ± 4.28 ) s,(77.00 ± 8.31 ) s,(59.00 ± 11.89) s,( 63.80 ±16.09) s,respectively.Compared to control,the duration in the central area of open field decreased and escape latency increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05 ) in all the MC-LR treated groups; and frequencies in central area and movement duration of 1.0 μg/kg treated rats decreased significantly.No significant differences were observed between expsoured group and control group in spacial probe tests(P＞0.05).ConclusionMC-LR exerts effects on the spontaneous behavior and spatial cognitive ability of rats.The further study on neurobehavior effects of MC-LR is necessary.