CROSS GENERATION LEAD INGESTION - BEHAVIORAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL-EFFECTS IN MICE

We examined some developmental and behavioral sequelae of exposing Bin ghamton Heterogeneous Stock (HET) mice to a 0.5% aqueous lead acetate solution (as the only available fluid source) for either none, one, tw o, or three generations. Lead exposure, regardless of generation, resu lted in decreased body weight and a delay in age of first eye opening relative to controls, but did not delay home nest return latencies. Dr inking the lead solution, across two and three successive generations, resulted in a marked and apparently cumulative decrease in pup viabil ity, as well as an increase in dam fatality rates. However, no such cu mulative or residual effects were observed on the behavioral activity of those mice who managed to survive. Perhaps a selection effect for l ead-tolerant mice occurred in the present study; such an effect could account for the apparent lack of cumulative and residual behavioral ef fects.