INFLUENCE OF MATERNAL RESTRAINT STRESS ON ARSENIC-INDUCED PRENATAL AND POSTNATAL ALTERATIONS IN MICE

The potential interaction between arsenic and maternal stress was asse ssed in Swiss mice. Two groups of pregnant animals were given by gavag e a single dose of 30-mg/kg sodium arsenite on gestation Day 7. Mice i n one of the groups were subjected to restraint for 2 h per day on ges tation Days 7-9. Control groups included restrained and unrestrained p regnant mice nonexposed to arsenite. One half of the animals were euth anized on gestational Day 18 and fetuses were examined for embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. The remaining dams were allowed to deliver a nd wean their offspring. Pups were evaluated with a multiitem neurobeh avioral test battery. Although arsenite-induced maternal toxicity was enhanced by restraint, there were no significant effects of maternal s tress on embryo/fetal toxicity or on most neurobehavioral parameters. According to these results, maternal restraint stress would not enhanc e the developmental and neurobehavioral toxicity of arsenite in mice a t oral doses that are not teratogenic by themselves.