An investigation of chronic exposure of lead to the pregnant laboratory animal and its effects on their offspring: Autism investigation to the laboratory animal model in Bangladesh

Lead poisoning is a continuing crisis impacting learning, neurological and behavioral development in children. This study investigated an important outcome from the environmental lead contamination which cause retardation of infant’s brain development. A total of 30 Swiss albino mice of both sexes were used in this study and divide into three groups consisting 6 female and 4 male in each group. Two groups of mice were given lead treated drinking (30 ppm and 230 ppm respectively) and rat pellets ad libitum and the control mice were supplied normal drinking water and rat pellets ad libitum. At 20-21th days of pregnancy lead-induced female mouse gave birth to a litter of 5-6 pups; whereas, control mouse gave birth to 10-13 pups at a time. Both lead-induced and controlled offspring were found normal; however, some lead-induced offspring were found comparatively smaller than the control one. Autism spectrum disorder behavioral diagnostic tools were used to explore the level of autism, if any. The anxiety assessment marble burying investigation did not reveal any significant differences among the group’s mice. Three chambered social interaction analysis found no significant differences among the mice. Blood serum level of lead for controlled mice were found 0.333mg/dL, whereas, 30 ppm and 230 ppm lead-induced born mice were found 3.833mg/dL and 9.666mg/dL respectively. This study suggested that a genetic predisposition pair with exposure to environmental toxicants play important role in the causes of autism spectrum disorder. Lead is not the pivotal factor of autism development in new born offspring in mice