Effects of prenatal exposure to toluene on postnatal development and behavior in rats

Development and neurobehavioral effects of prenatal exposure to toluene (CA S 108-88-3) were studied after exposing pregnant rats (Mol:WIST) to 1800 pp m of the solvent for 6 h daily on days 7-20 of gestation. Body weights of e xposed offspring were lower until day 10 after parturition. Neurobehavioral evaluation of the pups revealed no effects on motor function (rotarod), ac tivity level (open field), acoustic startle, and prepulse inhibition. Measu rements of hearing function using auditory brain stem response revealed sma ll effects in male-exposed offspring. Performance in a Morris water maze du ring initial learning gave some indications of impaired cognitive functions , which was confirmed during further testing, especially in reversal and ne w learning. Effects on cognitive functions seemed most marked in female off spring. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.