Diphenyl diselenide changes behavior in female pups

Diphenyl diselenide, (PhSe)2, is an organoselenium compound that affects a number of neuronal processes. The effect of maternal subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 25 mg/kg (PhSe)2 once daily during early postnatal development (from PND 1 to 21) was evaluated in offspring of Wistar rats. The physical and neural reflexes were recorded at pre-weaning period. The behavioral changes in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), open-field and rotarod tasks were performed in 28-day-old pups. Selenium brain status was significantly increased (∼ 41%) in rat pups. Statistically significant decreases in body weight were observed during lactation period in male and female pups exposed to 25 mg/kg (PhSe)2. There were no dose-related changes on landmarks indicative of physical and reflexologic parameters of development in rats. (PhSe)2 induced a disinhibitory effect in EPM behavior according to gender. Specifically, exposure to (PhSe)2 increased entries and duration in the open arms of the EPM in females but not in males. Locomotor activity and rearing increased by (PhSe)2 exposure in both male and female offspring in the open field. Both groups were similar in response to motor coordination in the rotarod. We concluded that maternal (PhSe)2 exposure during lactation increased selenium levels in the pup brain and caused changes on developmental and behavioral parameters of Wistar rat offspring.