title: Effects of perinatal exposure of lithium on neuro-behaviour of developing mice offspring.
abstract: Lithium (Li) was given to female Swiss-Webster strain mice at the doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg body weight in their drinking water. Treatment started from the first day of pregnancy until the postnatal day fifteen of delivery. Thereafter, the dams were switched to plain tap water. All offspring were subjected to various tests. The rate of body weight gain was relatively slower in Li exposed pups. Furthermore, the opening of eyes and appearance of body hairs in Li exposed pups were also slower as compared to the controls. The sensory motor reflexes in Li exposed pups were found to be affected in a dose-dependent manner. Significant relative changes were also noticed in the levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases in the liver, and acetylcholinesterase in the brain tissues of the Li exposed developing offspring in a dose-dependent manner. 'Locomotor Activity Test' was performed in the male offspring only which showed a significant suppressive effect on most of the elements of this test due to Li exposure. The present Li effects in the offspring are possibly via in utero action and/or via mother's milk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, College of Education, Dammam University, P.O. Box 2375, Dammam 31451, Saudi Arabia. gasem55555@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Gasem M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Abu-Taweel
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D008094:Lithium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008094:Lithium; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase