〔Abstract〕 Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of S-nitroglutathione reducing enzyme(GSNOR) in hippocampus and the changes of spatial learning and memory ability induced by exposure to inflammation in late pregnancy in elderly female rats. Methods Female CD-1 rats with 15 days of pregnancy were randomly divided into bacterial lipopolysaccharide exposure(LPS) and control group(CON),which were intraperitoneally injec-ted bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS,50 g/kg; LPS group) or equal volume normal saline(CON group). When female rats were 6 and 18 months,the spatial learning and memory ability was detected by Morris water maze( MWM),the level of hippocampal GSNOR was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the 6-CON group,the 18-CON group had a longer average swim length in the water maze( P<0. 01),lower percentage of target quadrant swimming distance and hippocampal GSNOR level( P<0. 01),and the comparison between 18-LPS group and 18-CON group also showed the same results. Conclusion Exposure to inflammation in late pregnancy aggravates age-related changes of GSNOR levels in the hippocampus of mice,which may be related to spatial learning and memory impairment in old age.