Psychophysiological development of two generations of female rats chronically exposed to gamma-irradiation during pregnancy in the total dose of 1 Gy and its modification by melanin

The purpose of the work was to study the embryotoxic action of chronic gamma-irradiation of pregnant female rats (F0) during the first 10 days of pregnancy in the total dose of 1 Gy (mean dose rate of 5.31 mGy/hour) on psychophysiological development of posterity of the first (F1) and the second (F2) generations and its modification by natural pigment melanin (peroral 10 mg/kg once per day during the irradiation). 54 pregnant female Wistar rats were the objects of research were their 180 descendants of the first generation and about 400 descendants of the second generation of maternal and of paternal lines. Psychophysiological development and its correction by melanin estimated on ability to learning with the test of training a conditioned avoidance reflex in the shuttle box. Precise negative action of gamma-irradiation in the aforesaid dose on psychophysiological development of posterity of the first generation is established. At rats of the second generation the inferiority is shown mainly at descendants of maternal line. Application of melanin of natural origin in most cases diminished negative consequences of the irradiation.