The effects of inhalation of styrene on the neurobehavior in the offsprings

Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to 0.60 +/- 18.9, 297.7 +/- 72.4 ppm styrene for 6 hours/day during 7 to 21 days of gestation. No significant differences among groups were found in the length of gestation or in the number of offspring delivered. Several neurobehavioral tests detected differences in the offspring exposed to styrene during gestation from controls. Even exposure to relatively low concentrations of styrene delayed some physiological developments, in addition to causing disturbances of the neuromotor coordination function (Rota-Rod performance) and learning acquisition (CRF). Furthermore, large dose led to subtle changes in emotional behavior and increases in spontaneous activities in addition to the delay of neurobehavioral developments.