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TEST BATTERY FOR SCREENING BEHAVIORAL TERATOGENS IN MICE
Citation:
Kallman, M. AND L. Condie. TEST BATTERY FOR SCREENING BEHAVIORAL TERATOGENS IN MICE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-85/420 (NTIS PB86216199), 1985.
Description:
The assessment battery was developed for identifying teratogens in mice (CD-1, outbred strain) since many non-behavioral toxicologists prefer working with the mouse and because the mouse is less costly to house and feed. The approach emphasizes the importance of adult toxicity data in the selection of exposure levels for teratologic studies and for interpreting behavioral teratogen effects. Potential teratogen exposure is both prenatal and postnatal with the goal of identifying the need for more costly and time consuming, cross-fostering and critical period designs. The test battery includes the assessment of multiple behavioral capabilities, including physical landmarks, reflex development, motor capability and passive avoidance learning. The authors have found the behavioral capabilities of the mouse to be similar to those of the rat in variability and range of response. The methdology has emphasized drinking water exposure to chemicals since we were involved in the evaluation of drinking water contaminants but the battery should be amenable to any route of exposure.