On certain characteristics of higher nervous activity in animals subjected to antenatal ionizing radiation

Abstract

On the 15th day after coitus female rabbits were subjected to a single x-irradiation in a dose of 400 r. Stabilization of conditioned reflex activity was investigated in the progeny: observations covered the somatic state of the animals with determination of hematological indices and inquiry into the cerebral morphology. In animals irradiated during organogenesis there is a slower elaboration and a slower stabilization of conditioned positive reflexes; differential response to sound stimulus is not elaborated. By irradiated animals differed but little from the controls hematological and weight indices. Histological investigation disclosed a reduction of the brain mass, considerable atrophy of the cortex and its disturbed development; corpus calossum is either absent or underdeveloped and so is cerebellum. Clinically there appear rotational and pendulum-like movements and development of spastic paralyses of hind extremities. According to the brain function indices subcortical formations are the ones of suffer most in these animals.