Effect of pyridoxine deficiency on the exploratory behavior of rats.

Malnutrition early in life impairs the development of brain as well as behavior. In the present study the behavioral effects of preweaning pyridoxine deficiency in rats, as reflected by their exploratory score, have been investigated. The results clearly indicated that the body weight of pyridoxine-deficient rats was significantly less when compared to the control rats. Besides this, the sign of maturation of sensory perceptual mechanisms like the first day of eye opening and signs of maturation of neuromotor coordination like the day of supported standing are delayed in vitamin-deficient rats. The open-field activity reflected by the exploratory score was observed to be significantly less in vitamin-deficient rats. In short, considerable effects of prenatal pyridoxine deficiency were observed in the neonatal pups as stunting of growth and in the delayed onset of neuromotor coordination as well as a low level of open-field activity. The importance of maternal pyridoxine supplementation during pregnancy has been emphasized.