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Parents ethanol use impairs ethanol-naive offspring development and reproduction

Vanessa Caroline Fioravante1,2, Alana Rezende Godoi1,2, Victória Mokarzel de Barros Camargo1,2

  • 1Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu (IBB), UNESP - Univ Estadual Paulista, São Paulo, Brazil.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|January 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

High parental ethanol consumption during postpuberty negatively impacts offspring development and reproductive health. This study reveals lasting effects on physical growth, puberty, and fertility in ethanol-naive offspring.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Developmental Toxicology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Parental substance use can affect offspring development and phenotype.
  • Understanding the impact of ethanol exposure on reproductive health is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of maternal and paternal high ethanol consumption during postpuberty on the development and reproductive function of ethanol-naive offspring.
  • To assess physical development, feeding patterns, puberty onset, and reproductive parameters in offspring exposed to parental ethanol use.

Main Methods:

  • Female and male rats (UChB) were divided into control and ethanol-exposed groups during postpuberty (65-80 days).
  • Mated rats at 100 days; monitored maternal parameters and offspring development and reproduction from birth to adulthood.
  • Assessed physical development, body weight, feeding patterns, puberty onset, hormone levels, estrous cycles, organ weights, sperm parameters, and reproductive function.

Main Results:

  • Ethanol-exposed dams showed reduced feeding intake and body weight during gestation and lactation.
  • Offspring exhibited delayed physical development, lower body weight, altered feeding patterns, and delayed puberty onset.
  • Males had lower testosterone levels; females showed prolonged estrous/proestrus phases but unchanged cycle duration.
  • Reduced ovary and uterus weight in females; males displayed increased sperm abnormalities, decreased sperm production, and accelerated epididymal transit time.

Conclusions:

  • High maternal and paternal ethanol consumption during postpuberty significantly impairs the development and reproductive parameters of ethanol-naive offspring.
  • Parental ethanol exposure induces lasting alterations in physical development, puberty timing, and reproductive capacity in offspring.
  • These findings highlight the transgenerational impact of parental ethanol use on offspring health.

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