Behavioral effects of phosphatidylserine after perinatal administration in rats

Abstract

Behavioral effects of the acidic phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) were studied in rats after perinatal (prenatal or neonatal) administration. PS was administered to pregnant rats from day 5 of pregnancy. PS liposomes were also injected i.p. to offspring from postnatal days 1-5. PS-treated rats showed a more precocious onset of neonatal behaviors, and a significant improvement in acquiring avoidance responses when tested at 60 days of age. Behavioral effects of PS may be related to a possible influence on dendritic arborization during perinatal period.

Long-lasting neurotoxicity of prenatal benzene acute exposure in rats

“…Neonatal behavior was studied by applying a battery of behavioral tests described elsewhere (Drago et al, 1984). Starting on day 1 after birth, the newborn pups were daily weighed and submitted to the analysis of neonatal reflexes until maximum appearance was scored (i.e., 100% of the brood was found to exhibit each reflex, and thus the full repertoire of all reflexes).…”