Effects of calcium on ability of learning and memory in rats exposed to low level lead before and after birth

Abstract

To investigate the effects of calcium on learning and memory ability of rats exposed to low level lead before and after birth. Wistar dam rats were randomly divided into normal group, lead-contaminated group and lead with Ca group. Corresponding food and water were given to pregnant rats from d 15 of gestation and to young rats till 7 w after birth. The weight of brain and hippocampus, blood lead content, serum calcium content, learning and memory ability of young rats were tested. The blood lead concentrations: lead-contaminated group was the highest, lead with Ca group the second and normal group the lowest. Serum calcium concentrations: normal group and lead with Ca group were both higher than lead contaminated group. Ability of learning and memory: lead with Ca group was better than lead-contaminated group, but poorer than normal group. No differences were found upon the weight of brain and hippocampus in all groups. A minilaparotomy approach for curative resection of rectal cancer may be an ideal alternative approach to conventional laparotomy.