BEHAVIORAL TERATOLOGY OF METHYLMERCURY

Abstract

Behavioral effects of experimental perinatal methylmercury exposure are reviewed. Studies were summarized by classification based on examined behaviors and functions as follows ; 1) Development of reflexive behaviors, 2) Swimming ability, 3) Spontaneous activity, 4) Open-field behavior, 5) Maze learning, 6) Avoidance learning, 7) Operant learning, 8) Susceptibility to induced convulsion and seizure, 9) Ultrasonic vocalization, 10) Visual function. Findings suggest that perinatal methylmercury exposure caused changes in a wide spectrum of behaviors in offspring. It is suggested that further researches on neuro-behavioral teratogenicity of methylmercury will be awaited, especially in the area investigating interaction of the other environmental factors.