Effet de l'exposition chronique au nickel sur les fonctions neurocomportementales chez les rats Wistar pendant la période de développement

The present study examines the impact of nickel poisoning sulphate at a dose of 0.2 % on neurobehavioral functions in Wistar rats during gestation and lactation. nickel exposure during the development period, has allowed to register, through the forced swimming test, a significant increase (P < 0.001) in the immobility time compared to the control group. However, the results related to the open field test revealed a significant increase in the number of squares crossed and the number of recovery (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) respectively, in the group exposed to nickel, which is translated by hyperactivity locomotor. In contrast, the data obtained through the Morris water maze test show that nickel poisoning during pregnancy and lactation is associated with impairment of spatial learning performance that resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.001, P < 0.01) of escape latency and memory deficit is explained by a significant decrease (P < 0.05) of time spent in the northwest quadrant during the probe test. Even so, the visual disturbances installed in nickel exposure offspring rats that are observed by a significant increase (P < 0.001) of escape latency during the visible platform phase compared with controls. Finally, nickel poisoning during the development period causes neurotoxic effects that disrupt all spatial learning and memory performance and installation of a depressive state which reflects an alteration in the neurodevelopment process.