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. 1996 Apr;104(Suppl 2):307–315. doi: 10.1289/ehp.96104s2307

Appropriate end points for the characterization of behavioral changes in developmental toxicology.

V Cuomo 1, M A De Salvia 1, S Petruzzi 1, E Alleva 1
PMCID: PMC1469595  PMID: 9182037

Abstract

The present paper is devoted to second- and higher-tier test methods for the characterization of behavioral changes produced in rodents by exposure to noxious agents during development. The paper analyzes a series of end points that are informative about specific processes and underlying regulatory mechanisms but require greater technical sophistication and larger investments than first-tier end points. This applies to ultrasonic emissions in successive postnatal periods; to mother-pup interactions, including appropriate cross-fostering controls; to social (including sexual) interaction tests from the infantile to the young adult stage; and to a variety of conditioning and learning tests using both positive and negative reinforcement.

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Selected References

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