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Alcohol and lactation: Developmental deficits in a mouse model.
Roberto F Perez1, Kathleen E Conner2, Michael A Erickson1
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|March 30, 2023
Summary
Lactational ethanol exposure (LEE) in infant mice via nursing negatively impacts brain development, leading to reduced body weight, neocortical length, and altered behaviors like hyperactivity and risk-taking. Further research is needed to guide safe alcohol consumption practices for breastfeeding mothers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal ethanol exposure is known to affect offspring development.
- Research on lactational ethanol exposure (LEE) effects is limited, despite significant alcohol consumption by breastfeeding mothers.
- Infants exposed to ethanol via breast milk may experience reduced body mass, lower IQ, and sleep disturbances.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of lactational ethanol exposure (LEE) on brain and behavioral development in a murine model.
- To establish a novel murine model for studying LEE during a critical period of infant development.
Main Methods:
- A murine model was used, exposing offspring to ethanol via nursing from postnatal day 6 to 20.
- Measurements included body weight, brain weight, neocortical length, and frontal cortex thickness.
- Dendritic spine density and behavioral tests (risk-taking, stress regulation, hyperactivity) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- LEE mice exhibited reduced body weights and neocortical lengths compared to controls.
- Brain weights were reduced in male LEE mice and in females at P20, with female brain weights recovering by P30.
- LEE mice showed reduced frontal cortex thickness in males, a trend of reduced dendritic spine density, increased hyperactivity, abnormal stress regulation, and higher risk-taking behavior.
Conclusions:
- Lactational ethanol exposure can lead to adverse brain and behavioral developmental outcomes in offspring.
- Current data suggest women should avoid alcohol consumption while breastfeeding.
- Further research is critical to establish safe maternal alcohol consumption guidelines during early infancy.
Keywords:
alcoholanatomybehaviorbrain developmentlactationlactational ethanol exposureneocortexpostnatal neocortical development
