Toxocara canis and lead alter consummatory behavior in mice.

Ingestion of palatable and unpalatable solutions was measured in adult mice in which had been administered the common parasite of the dog, Toxocara canis alone, or in combination with lead. In addition, response to hot plate and susceptibility to electroconvulsive seizure were also measured. Results from the palatability test indicated that either lead or Toxocara may alter the mouse's mode of interacting with its environment. However, the two agents in combination interacted in their effects on consummatory behavior. Results from the hot plate and ECS measures were less clear with respect to how lead and/or Toxocara influence temperature reactivity and seizure susceptibility. Histological examination of the CNS in parasite infected animals revealed Wallerian Type degeneration of fiber pathways including the corpus callosum, olfactory tract, and cerebellar penduncles.