Objective To evaluate the effects on learning and memory ability of two generations of offspring after prenatal and postnatal decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) exposure by gavage.
Methods Seventy-five Kunming female mice were randomly assigned to one control and two BDE 209 groups 1.5 mg/(kg& #183;d) and 225 mg/(kg& #183;d) through gavage for 10 days before mating. Then eight mice with close fertilization day were selected for each group and continued to gavage through pregnancy and lactation until weaning. Offspring in F1 and F2 were treated in the same protocol as the F0. Body weight and numbers of pups was recorded. Morris water maze was used to exam the ability of learning and memory in offspring at 30, 60 and 90 days after birth.
Results The numbers of pups in F1 and F2 were significant decreased by 25% and 30% respectively in the low BDE 209 group (P<0.05), compared with the control group. The high BDE 209 exposure significantly decreased the body weight of the F1 30-day-old female pups by about 17% (P<0.05). The BDE 209 exposure significantly decreased the body weight of the F1 30-day-old male pups by 12% and 25%, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The BDE 209 exposure significantly decreased the body weight of the F2 30-day-old female pups by about 12% (P<0.01). The low BDE 209 exposure significantly decreased the body weight of the F2 30-day-old male pups by about 8% (P<0.05); the high BDE 209 exposure significantly decreased the body weight of the F2 60-and 90-day-old male pups by about 13% (P<0.01). The escape latency of the female F1 pups of 60 and 90 days old or the female F2 pups of 30, 60, and 90 days old was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Also, the escape latency of the male F1 pups of 60 and 90 days old in the low exposure group or the male F2 pups of 30, 60, and 90 days old in the high exposure group was increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The time in target quadrant of the F2 female of 60 or 90 days old was decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Also, the time in target quadrant of the F2 male of 90 days old was decreased (P<0.05).
Conclusion Exposure to BDE 209 shows detrimental effects on developmental learning and memory in offspring mice.
DownLoad: