Although use of fenvalerate has increased dramatically over the past decade, little is known about their potential adverse effects on growth and development. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of maternal fenvalerate exposure during pregnancy on growth and neurobehavioral development in the offspring. Pregnant mice were orally administered to fenvalerate (0.2, 2.0, and 20 mg/kg) daily throughout pregnancy. The tests of growth and neurobehavioral development were performed during lactation period. A series of neurobehavioral tasks were carried out from lactation to puberty. Anxiety-related behaviors were evaluated by open-field and elevated plus maze. Morris Water Maze was used to assess spatial learning and memory ability. Results showed that maternal fenvalerate exposure during pregnancy markedly delayed growth development of neonatal offspring during lactation. In addition, anxiety-like behaviors were increased in fenvalerate-exposed male offspring. Moreover, spatial learning and memory was severely impaired in female offspring. Taken together, maternal fenvalerate exposure during pregnancy delayed growth and neurobehavioral development in a gender-dependent manner. Additional study is required to explore the underlying mechanism through which maternal fenvalerate exposure during pregnancy induces impairment of growth and neurobehavioral development.

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The immune deficiency caused by aging deserves attention, especially the weakening of intestinal mucosal immunity. The effect of β-casomorphin-7 on intestinal mucosal immunity was investigated in aged mice. Mice were treated without or with different doses of β-casomorphin-7 for 30 days. Histopathological studies showed the tissue protective role of β-casomorphin-7 in aged mice. Lowdose group could significantly increase the level of IL-2 and TNF-α in intestinal mucosa. A significant increase in the level of SIgA was observed in medium-and high-dose groups. The low and medium dose groups could significantly increase the activity of SOD in small intestine mucosa. All dose groups significantly reduced the levels of MDA. The results suggest that β-casomorphin-7 could improve intestinal mucosal immune decline which is induced by aging The mechanisms for the regulating effects were likely through balancing the cytokine level and controlling the oxidative stress.