Preconception Paternal Alcohol Consumption Elicits Postnatal Changes in Neural Retinas of the Offspring

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Maternal alcohol exposure is a known cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)-related ocular defects.
• The impact of preconception paternal alcohol consumption (PPAC) on offspring eye development remains largely uninvestigated.
• Understanding PPAC's role is crucial for a comprehensive view of alcohol's teratogenic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effects of PPAC on the retinal function and morphology of offspring.
• To investigate potential links between PPAC and FASD-related ocular abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Male mice exposed to ethanol or water (control) were bred with naive females.
• Offspring retinal function was assessed using electroretinography (ERG) at various ages.
• Retinal and retinal layer thicknesses were analyzed morphometrically.

Main Results:

• Some offspring exhibited ocular malformations, including a single developed eye.
• Reduced ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes indicated impaired retinal light responses, particularly in female offspring.
• Significant thinning of inner retinal layers was observed in young PPAC offspring, though differences diminished by six months.

Conclusions:

• PPAC contributes to FASD-related ocular defects, impacting retinal function and structure in offspring.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering paternal alcohol exposure as a significant risk factor for offspring developmental abnormalities.
• Adverse effects of PPAC on offspring ocular health warrant serious consideration alongside maternal alcohol consumption.