Diphenyl diselenide changes behavior in female pups

Abstract Diphenyl diselenide, (PhSe) 2 , is an organoselenium compound that affects a number of neuronal processes. The effect of maternal subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of 25 mg/kg (PhSe) 2 once daily during early postnatal development (from PND 1 to 21) was evaluated in offspring of Wistar rats. The physical and neural reflexes were recorded at pre-weaning period. The behavioral changes in the elevated plus-maze (EPM), open-field and rotarod tasks were performed in 28-day-old pups. Selenium brain status was significantly increased (∼ 41%) in rat pups. Statistically significant decreases in body weight were observed during lactation period in male and female pups exposed to 25 mg/kg (PhSe) 2 . There were no dose-related changes on landmarks indicative of physical and reflexologic parameters of development in rats. (PhSe) 2 induced a disinhibitory effect in EPM behavior according to gender. Specifically, exposure to (PhSe) 2 increased entries and duration in the open arms of the EPM in females but not in males. Locomotor activity and rearing increased by (PhSe) 2 exposure in both male and female offspring in the open field. Both groups were similar in response to motor coordination in the rotarod. We concluded that maternal (PhSe) 2 exposure during lactation increased selenium levels in the pup brain and caused changes on developmental and behavioral parameters of Wistar rat offspring.