Screening pesticides for neuropathogenicity.

Pesticides are routinely screened in studies that follow specific guidelines for possible neuropathogenicity in laboratory animals. These tests will detect chemicals that are by themselves strong inducers of neuropathogenesis if the tested strain is susceptible relative to the time of administration and methodology of assessment. Organophosphate induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) is the only known human neurodegenerative disease associated with pesticides and the existing study guidelines with hens are a standard for predicting the potential for organophosphates to cause OPIDN.

Preferential effect of lead exposure during lactation on non-essential fatty acids in maternal organs.

This study determined the effects of lead exposure during the lactational period on maternal organ FA compositions in rat dams that were fed either an n-3 adequate (n-3 Adq) or deficient (n-3 Def) diet prior to conception. On giving birth, dams were subdivided into four groups in a 2 x 2 design with n-3 FA supply and Pb exposure as the dependent variables. Pb acetate (0.

Lead exposure and (n-3) fatty acid deficiency during rat neonatal development alter liver, plasma, and brain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition.

Lead (Pb) exposure has been reported to increase arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids. To determine whether Pb effects on fatty acid composition are influenced by dietary (n-3) fatty acid restriction, weanling female rats were fed either an (n-3)-adequate or -deficient diet to maturity and mated. At parturition, dams in each group were subdivided to receive either 0.

Lead exposure and (n-3) fatty acid deficiency during rat neonatal development affect subsequent spatial task performance and olfactory discrimination.

Docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3), DHA] is important for optimal infant central nervous system development, and lead (Pb) exposure during development can produce neurological deficits. Long-Evans strain rats were fed either an (n-3) deficient [(n-3) Def] diet to produce brain DHA deficiency, or an adequate [(n-3) Adq] diet through 2 generations. At the birth of the 2nd generation, the dams were subdivided into 4 groups and supplied drinking water containing either 5.