Table 8

Behavior of mice fed with mercury-containing diets in the cross maze test. a



Diet (Hg dose in food expressed in ng/g)



Behavioral measures
Control diet (n = 6)
5.4 (n = 8)
62 (n = 8)
520 (n = 8)





Number of entries into open arms, %
28 ± 3.5
**13.7 ± 4.2
*21 ± 2.6
26.3 ± 3
Time spent in open arms, %
20.4 ± 2.9
*7.7 ± 2.9
*8.7 ± 1.6
14.7 ± 3.8
Time spent at the extremity of open arms, (sec)
30.9 ± 8.7
*13.4 ± 6.8
*14.6 ± 3.4
23.6 ± 8.7
Number of entries into closed arms, %
71.5 ± 4.2
**86.3 ± 4.2
*79 ± 2.6
73.7 ± 3
Time spent in closed arms, %
41.4 ± 2.8
**61.5 ± 4.3
**61 ± 2.6
49.4 ± 3.9
Time spent at the extremity of closed arms, (sec)
112.4 ± 13.6
**159.1 ± 14.2
**158.3 ± 8.5
116.5 ± 11.2
Time spent in center, %
38.3 ± 2
*31 ± 2.2
**30.2 ± 1.7
36.3 ± 1.7

a Results are expressed as the mean ± SE. Significant differences are indicated by an asterisk (p < 0.05), or two (p < 0.01).

Bourdineaud et al. Environmental Health 2008 7:53   doi:10.1186/1476-069X-7-53