MORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS OF NEURONS AND ASTROCYTES IN GUINEA-PIGS EXPOSED TO LOW-LEVELS OF INORGANIC LEAD

Both astrocytes and neurons potentially undergo structural and functio nal alterations in the brains of animals exposed to low levels of lead (Pb). No morphometric studies of astrocytes have been reported to dat e in animals in low Pb exposure. In the present study, morphometric me asurements of astrocytes, and pyramidal neurons in the frontoparietal cortex were made in guinea pigs exposed postnatally (5 or 10 days) or prenatally (gestational day 22 to birth) to low Pb levels. Although fe w significant effects of Pb treatment were detected by the rigorous st atistical model applied, a recurring trend was noted for postnatal Pb treatment to increase astrocyte maximum diameter (dmax). In addition, prenatal Pb treatment was associated with increased apical and basal d endritic length, increased total apical dendrites per cell and an incr eased basal branching complexity in neurons. (C) 1993 Intox Press, Inc .