Effects of in utero tptcl exposure on the learned behaviors of mice after birth

The open field test and the elevated plus-maze test were applied to investigate the effects of in utero triphenyltin chloride (TPTCL) exposure on learned behavior in ICR strain mice. During pregnancy mice (8-weeks-old) received daily oral administration of vehicle (corn oil) or TPTCL (0.9 and 9 mg I kg) for a period of up to 18 days. Plasma sex hormone concentrations, body weight and organ weights were not significantly changed and no external malformations were noted after TPTCL exposure in either dams or pups. However, a decrease in the number of animals completing pregnancy and the number of dams rearing pups normally was observed in the 9 mg I kg TPTCL group. No behavioral effects of TPTCL treatment were observed in pups or dams in the two tests employed. Measurable levels of TPTCL were found in the brains of dams in the TPTCL dosage group, but not in the brains of their pups. These results indicated that the TPTCL dosages and treatment period used did not influence metabolism and / or learned behaviors in mice. However the possibility is suggested that TPTCL may have adverse effects on normal pregnancy and maternal behavior.