Effects of chemical compounds exposure and hyperthermal environment to pregnant rats on hippocampus neuronal morphology and neurobehavioral development of offsprings / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the effects of chemical compounds exposure and hyperthermal environment to pregnant rats on the hippocampus neuronal morphology and neurobehavioral development of their offsprings. MethodsPregnant rats were divided into 4 groups randomly the control group; chemical compounds exposure group, chemical compounds combined hyperthermal exposure group and hyperthermal group. The control group was living in normal condition; the chemical compounds exposure group in a cabin with benzene (20.26?0.80) mg/m3, toluene (39.66?4.23) mg/m3, dimethylbenzene (42.40?2.85) mg/m3, and formaldehyde (23.13?1.30) mg/m3; the hyperthermal group was kept in an atmosphere of 38.5 ℃; and the combined group was exposed to the chemical compounds and high temperature at the same time. All animals were treated respectively 2 h per day for 10 d since their pregnancy. Their offspring were lived in normal condition. The development of brain and changes of hippocampus neuronal morphology were observed just or 1 month after born. The primary reflex activity of new-born rats was also examined. ResultsThere was no abnormality in the brain of new born rats from 4 groups. In the chemical compounds exposure and the combined exposure groups, the number of degeneration and necrosis neurons in CA1 region of hippocampus were significantly more than those in control and hyperthermal groups (P