Are there behavioural sequelae following an acute carbon monoxide intoxication?‐an animal model

Abstract

Several physiological and behavioural parameters were measured in twenty‐five male Sprague‐Dawley rats that had survived acute carbon monoxide intoxication (0.4–0.5% for 90 min) performed at the age of 27 days. Twenty‐five other males of the same age and origin served as controls. The animals were synchronized by a light (L)‐dark (D) 12:12 alternation. Body weights, heart rates and rectal temperatures decreased temporarily immediately after carbon monoxide intoxication, but remained the same as the controls over the following seven weeks. Observations of behaviour of grouped rats during L showed no consistent differences between the two sets of rats. However, chronobiological computation of reactions to L‐D transitions and of circadian and ultradian (40 min < τ < 20 h) VCO₂ (carbon dioxide emission) rhythms shows that, for 6–7 weeks after exposure, the carbon monoxide survivors react less than the controls to L‐D transitions and have smaller variations in VCO₂ due to having been kept in groups rather than separately.

Notes

To whom correspondence should be addressed at: French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, (INSERM), 44, Chemin de Ronde, 78110 Le Vesinet, France