Endotoxin treatment of pregnant rats affects sexual behavior of the male offspring.
The offspring of endotoxin-infused pregnant rats (0.2 micrograms endotoxin, 53.3 min, day 18 of pregnancy) did not exhibit different behavior in the Hebb-Williams-type maze test, but the males showed aberrations in the sexual behavior test. Because endotoxin did not cross the placental barrier, it was concluded that the effect reflects abnormal brain development, caused by endotoxin-induced placental malfunction, notably impaired oxygen transport.
Wijkstra
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
Valkhof
N
N
Koolhaas
J M
JM
Schuiling
G A
GA
D000818:Animals; D003307:Copulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004542:Ejaculation / Q000187:drug effects; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000187:drug effects
D004731:Endotoxins