The bio-monitering systems by using acoustic alterations of ultrasonic vocalization of rats

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K12603
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Risk sciences of radiation and chemicals
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: WADA HIROMI 北海道大学, 文学研究科, 教授 (90191832)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ultrasonic vocalization / rat / BDE-209 / maternal separation / play fighting / mating behavior / fighting behavior / communication

Outline of Final Research Achievements

BDE-209 was administered to pregnant rats at dosages of 1000, 500, or 0mg/kg from gestational day 15 to postnatal day 21. The duration of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) was shortened and frequency-modulated USVs were reduced in the dosed pups. Only male high-dose groups of juvenile rats produced 30 kHz USVs with longer durations (type N call) in play fighting. Male adult rats of the low-dose and control groups produced type N calls in mating behavior whereas those of the high-dose group disappeared them. In fighting behavior, male rats of the control group produced type N call but those of the high- and low-dose groups reduced or disappeared them. These results suggest that BDE-209 disrupts communication behavior of rats.

Free Research Field

developmental neurotoxicology