Perinatal methylmercury intoxication: Behavioral effects in rats

Abstract
Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to perinatal (4th gestational day until Postnatal Day 21) methylmercury intoxication to determine the long‐term behavioral effect of the mercury poisoning. Experimental and control animals were evaluated at 110–140 days of age. Compared to controls, the methylmercury animals demonstrated significant behavioral deficits characterized by hypoactivity and by reduced appetitive, escape, and avoidance learning.