Developmental Lead Exposure Impairs Anxiolytic-Like Effects of Diazepam and 8-OH-DPAT in Male Wistar Rats

Behavioral modification of developmental Pb super(2+) exposure responses to diazepam and 8-OH-DPAT in male offspring rats was examined. Group differences were assessed by a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post-ANOVA test of Newman-Keuls. Diazepam in a dose of 5.0 mg/kg IP significantly increased the percentage of time spent on open arms in control rats being without effect in this regard in Pb super(2+)-exposed animals. It was also observed that the lack of Pb super(2+)-exposure effect on basal anxiety evaluated in the elevated plus maze and Vogel drinking test. It was also shown that 8-OH- DPAT 0.3 mg/kg IP increased the percentage of time spent.