[Effect of diphenylhydantoin administered during gestation and lactation on the motor development and cerebellar histology of the young rat]. / Action de la diphénylhydantoïne administrée pendant la gestation et l'allaitement, sur le développement moteur et l'histologie du cervelet du jeune rat.

ABSTRACT

Rattus norvegicus females were treated by diphenylhydantoin (D.P.H.), all along pregnancy and lactation. 4 groups were constituted a 100 mg DPH/kg/day group, a 50 mg DPH/kg/day group; a placebo group (treated with pure water), and control group. D.P.H. was given twice a day by a gastric tube. The cerebellar Purkinje cells studied through light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in young rats (25 days old) showed no visible alteration. 2 motorcoordination tests were applied to the young rats, during their 2nd and 3rd weeks of post-natal life. Young rats of DPH 100, DPH 50 and placebo groups showed a backwardness relatively to control. This backwardness may be attributed to the maternal forced feeding stress, but not to a specific action of the DPH.