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Prenatal exposure to ethanol increases ethanol consumption: a conditioned response?
M Gabriela Chotro1, Carlos Arias
1Universidad del País Vasco, Avda de Tolosa, 70, 20018 San Sebastián, Spain. gchotro@ss.ehu.es
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|July 25, 2003
Summary
Prenatal exposure to moderate ethanol doses can condition offspring to prefer alcohol, a preference potentially mediated by the opioid system. This effect was dose-dependent and reversible with naloxone.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy can impact offspring neurodevelopment and behavior.
- Opioid system involvement in reward and addiction is well-established.
- Understanding prenatal influences on alcohol preference is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on offspring ethanol consumption.
- To explore the role of the opioid system in mediating this prenatal effect.
- To determine if prenatal ethanol exposure establishes a conditioned preference for alcohol.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant rats received varying doses of ethanol (1-2 g/kg) during late gestation.
- Offspring ethanol intake was assessed at postnatal days 14 and 28.
- Naloxone, an opioid antagonist, was administered prenatally and postnatally to assess its effects.
Main Results:
- Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure (2 g/kg) increased offspring ethanol consumption at postnatal day 14.
- Adolescent offspring showed augmented ethanol intake, with sex-specific dose effects.
- Naloxone administration, both prenatally and postnatally, reduced ethanol intake in exposed offspring.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal ethanol exposure can lead to a conditioned preference for ethanol in offspring.
- The opioid system appears to play a significant role in this in utero learning.
- Findings suggest a mechanism linking prenatal alcohol exposure to lifelong alcohol-related behaviors.