Assessing Adult Motor Function in Three Genotypes of Mice Exposed to Benzo[a]Pyrene During Early Brain Development

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Northern Kentucky University

Abstract

"Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon commonly found in traffic- related air pollution, tobacco smoke, and grilled foods. BaP is linked to learning deficits and to neurodevelopmental delays in human and animal studies. We are using a mouse model to determine if genetic differences increase susceptibility to BaP exposure during early brain development. Mice lacking the CYP1A2 metabolic enzyme and wild type control mice were exposed to BaP from gestational day 10 (GD10) through weaning at postnatal day 25 (P25). A battery of motor function tests were performed when the mice reached young adulthood (P60). We used a pole climb test and rotarod to assess motor function and motor learning. There was a significant main effect of genotype with the time to turn (P < 0.001) and the total time to descend the pole (P < 0.01). In the rotarod test, there was also a main effect of genotype with AhrbCyp1a2(-/-) knockout mice showing impaired performance on Days 1, 2 and 5 of the test. This suggests that early life BaP exposure has minimal effect on motor function in adults."

Description

2020 Celebration of Student Research and Creativity presentation

Keywords

Pollutants, Benzopyrene, Carcinogens, Motor ability, Mice

Citation

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http://hdl.handle.net/11216/4077

DOI

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Student Research and Creativity