Effects of triethyl tin on pain reactivity and neuromotor function of rats.

Male Fischer-344 rats were given 14 doses of triethyl tin (TET) sc over a period of 3 wk. Responsiveness to painful stimulation and muscular strength were measured at the end of dosing and after 2 wk of recovery. Responsiveness to painful stimuli was elevated by TET in tests requiring a relatively large motor response (tail flick, hot plate) and was associated with concurrent decreases in hindlimb grip strength. Reactivity, as measured by an operant titration procedure requiring a nose poke response, was not affected by TET. All neurotoxic effects of TET were reversible by 2 wk after cessation of dosing. These data suggest that TET does not affect reactivity to pain when TET-induced neuromotor deficits are taken into account.