Oral administration of the insecticide endosulfan (2 mg/kg per day) for 90 days in immature male rats resulted in an inhibition of pole-climbing escape response to electric shock (unconditioned) and avoidance response to buzzer (conditioned). These responses reflect respectively their learning and memory processes. The escape response but not the avoidance response was reinstated significantly by the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletor, p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 100 mg/kg per day for 3 days). Endosulfan increased 5-HT concentrations in the cerebrum and midbrain regions. Protein conten and acetylcholinesterase activity were unaltered in the brain.