THE EFFECTS OF TETRAETHYL LEAD ON BEHAVIOR IN RATS

The effects of 10 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally administered triethyl lead on rats were observed through measurement of the following: changes in body weight, passive aggressiveness, wheel running activity, the performance level of Rota-Rod Treadmill, and emotional responses in the open field. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Weight losses of TEL-treated rats were recorded from 2 days after injection to 20 days after injection. 2. Scores of passive aggressiveness were drastically increased following administration of TEL. Maximum passive aggressiveness was observed 4 days after injection and it continued until 13 days after injection. 3. Wheel running activity was decreased for 2 days after injection. It was observed that TEL-treated rats showed extreme reaction on the wheel running activity test for about 30 days after administration. 4. Endurance on the Rota-Rod Treadmill was significantly reduced in the 10 mg/kg group. 5. The amount of defecation, ambulation and rearing of the treated group as measured by covariance analysis did not differ from that of the controls. 6. The whole time course of intoxication and the precise measurement of neurotoxicity due to TEL could be followed using the techniques of behavioral toxicology.