BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF TRICHLOROETHYLENE AND TETRACHLOROETHYLENE IN MICE

This study was performed to clarify the toxicological profiles of tric hloroethylene (TRCE) and tetrachloroethylene (TECE) when they are admi nistered intraperitoneally in mice. The ED50 for loss of righting refl ex were 2596 mg/kg in TRCE and 4209 mg/kg in TECE. TRCE and TECE impai red bridge test performance at 500 and 2000 mg/kg, respectively. An op erant behavior performance was also inhibited by TRCE at 1000 mg/kg an d by TECE at 2000 mg/kg. Both TRCE and TECE exhibited anticonflict eff ects in a Vogel-type task at 500 mg/kg. This effect was confirmed by t he finding that TRCE exhibited anticonflict action in a Geller-type pa radigm at 250 mg/kg and more, as did TRCE did at 1000 mg/kg. These res ults show that TRCE and TECE affect various behaviors in mice and sugg est that conflict behaviors are one of the most sensitive behavioral i ndicators of the effects of these substances. The toxicological profil es of TRCE and TECE with respect to behavioral effects were very simil ar, and they can be classified in a single category. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.