Maternal Consumption of Lake Ontario Salmon in Rats Produces Behavioral Changes in the Offspring

Abstract

The current study assessed the effects of maternal, paternal, or combined parental consumption of Lake Ontario salmon in rats on the behavior of their offspring. Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were put on a 30 day diet of either ground rat chow containing 30% Lake Ontario salmon (LAKE) or 30% Pacific Ocean salmon (OCEAN). These females were then mated with adult male rats similarly exposed (LAKE or OCEAN). An additional control group of males and females who were fed ground rat chow (MASH) only were also mated. These pairing combinations resulted in five offspring groups: LAKE-LAKE, LAKE-OCEAN, OCEAN-LAKE, OCEAN-OCEAN, MASH-MASH. When the offspring reached 80 days of age, they were tested for reactivity to frustrative nonreward using runway successive negative contrast, which has been repeatedly shown to be increased in adult rats fed Ontario salmon. Consistent with previous work, results showed that the behavior of the OCEAN-OCEAN rats did not differ from the MASH-MASH group, indicating that a salmon diet per se does not cause behavioral change. However, the offspring of dams who consumed Lake Ontario salmon (LAKE-LAKE and OCEAN-LAKE) showed an increased depression effect relative to controls. There was little evidence of a paternal effect. A follow-up experiment employed cross-fostering to determine the relative contribution of pre- and/or postnatal exposure to Lake Ontario salmon consumption on offspring behavior. Rat pups were cross-fostered to or from dams who consumed Lake Ontario salmon during gestation and parturition. Results from two separate replications indicated that prenatal (LAKE to OCEAN) exposure alone or postnatal (OCEAN to LAKE) exposure alone produced a large increase in successive negative contrast relative to controls (OCEAN to OCEAN). These data are strong evidence of behavioral changes produced by maternal consumption of Lake Ontario salmon in the offspring rat. Further, they indicate that either prenatal or postnatal exposure alone is sufficient to produce behavioral changes in the offspring.

PCBs and measures of attention and impulsivity on a continuous performance task of young adults

“…Animal studies of prenatal and postnatal exposures to PCBs show a relationship between PCBs and motor activity and hyperactivity (Agrawal et al, 1981; Carpenter et al, 2002; Daly et al, 1998; Holene et al, 1998; Schantz et al, 1997). Other behaviors similar to aspects of ADHD appear to be associated with PCB exposure in animals.…”

Toxicological Effects of Gestational and Lactational Exposure to a Mixture of Persistent Organochlorines in Rats: Systemic Effects

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that ingestion of fish contaminated with PCBs and other persistent organochlorines during pregnancy is associated with a lower growth rate and intellectual capacity in infants (Jacobson et al, 1990;Jacobson and Jacobson, 1997;Rogan and Gladden, 1991;Stewart et al, 2003). Laboratory studies testing POP mixtures in animals have also reported neurological deficits and systemic effects (Arnold et al, 1998;Chu et al, 1984;Daly et al, 1998;Hany et al, 1999aHany et al, , 1999bIverson et al, 1998;Seegal et al, 1998). Daly et al (1998) have demonstrated that offspring of female rats that consumed a diet containing 30% Lake Ontario salmon, known to contain POP contaminants, showed an increased reactivity to frustrative non-reward.…”

“…Laboratory studies testing POP mixtures in animals have also reported neurological deficits and systemic effects (Arnold et al, 1998;Chu et al, 1984;Daly et al, 1998;Hany et al, 1999aHany et al, , 1999bIverson et al, 1998;Seegal et al, 1998). Daly et al (1998) have demonstrated that offspring of female rats that consumed a diet containing 30% Lake Ontario salmon, known to contain POP contaminants, showed an increased reactivity to frustrative non-reward. Seegal et al (1998) have shown that rats fed a diet containing 20% Lake Ontario fish perinatally and as adults had significant reductions in brain biogenic amine functions.…”