The Effect of Zinc Deficiency and Zinc Supplement in Female Rats' Regime on Learning, Memory and Motor Function of Their Offspring in Morris Water Maze

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two regimes during rats' gestation and lactation on learning, memory and motor function of their offspring. For this purpose, female rats (Albino-Wistar) were obtained from Pasteur Institute, Iran. After mating, 12 pregnant rats were divided into three groups and they had their special regimes during their last week of pregnancy as well as their lactation. Control group used a standard diet, the zinc deficient (ZnD) group a diet deficient in zinc and the zinc supplement (ZnS) group a standard diet and enhanced zinc (10ppm) in their drinking water. 12 male offspring in each group were selected as the statistical sample and they were tested for learning and memory in MWM on their 56th natal day (ND) and were tested for motor activity in open-field on their 66th natal day. One-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey test and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyze the data (P

Keywords

• learning
• memory
• morris water maze.
• motor function
• zinc