PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO AIR POLLUTANTS AFFECTS POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR IN MICE

Recent studies suggest that air pollution may affect reproductive outcome. This study in mice aimed to investigate whether exposure to various gases released by air pollution would affect gestation, postnatal development, activity, learning and memory, and biomarkers of trans-placental toxicity. In utero exposure decreased weight gain during lactation. Cognitive function and levels of biomarkers of exposure were generally similar in exposed and control offspring. The chemical composition of the gases and differences in exposure methods may play a significant role on the biological effects observed in this compared to other studies.