Abstract: Objective To model the newborn hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats. Methods 25 7-day-old healthy Wistar rats were divided into control group (n=12) and model group (n=13). 2 h after ligating and mutilating the unilateral common carotid arteries, the rats in the model group were put into an airtighted box with the volume fraction of 8% oxygen and 92% nitrogen for 2 h. 4 weeks after operation, all the rats were assessed behaviorally and pathologically. Results The footprint repeat space of rats were larger and more instable in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). The time the rats crossing the balance beam was longer in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). The escape latency of the water maze test was longer in the model group than in the control group (P<0.05). The right brain became smaller than the contralateral. HE staining showed that the cells around impaired periventricle were swelling, and cell number was less than the contralateral. The neurons decreased, some degenerated and necrosis neurocytes appeared in the impaired side. Conclusion The model of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage has been established.

Key words: hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, animal model, neuroethology, water maze test, pathology, rats