Effects of maternal administered valproic acid and triphenyl phospite on behavioral and hippocampal changes in juvenile offspring rats

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by distortions and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors in social interaction. Genetic and environmental factors are known to be effective in neurodevelopmental disorders. As genetic factors affecting autism have not been fully explained yet, studies on environmental factors have gained intensity and the results of the chemicals exposed during pregnancy have reached a considerable dimension. The study was planned to investigate the effects of maternal intraperitoneal injections of triphenyl phosphite; which is a neurotoxic chemical when exposed in daily life and Valproic Acid; which is used in autistic animal models, on adolescent rat behaviors and hippocampal differences. Behavioral tests and histochemical staining methods were used for this purpose. The data obtained from the evaluations revealed that the offspring exposed to Triphenyl phosphite and Valproic Acid in early embryonic period exhibited neurodevelopmental disorder. This study also emphasizes the need for caution against environmental chemistry during pregnancy. Key Words: autism, valproic acid, triphenyl phosphite, neurodevelopment, maternal, hippocampus, behavior