Lack of fetal growth retardation in rats consuming alcohol prior to conception but not during gestation

A study was conducted to determine the effect of chronic alcohol consumption by female rats prior to conception but not during gestation upon fetal growth. The rats were divided into two dietary groups. Group 1 (alcohol) received ad libitum a stock diet plus ethanol in the drinking water. The ethanol concentration in the drinking water was 10% for the first week, 20% the second week and 30% during the next three weeks. Group 2 (pair-fed controls) received water ad libitum and the same amount of stock diet as that consumed by the ethanol group, but the ethanol was substituted isocalorically with corn starch. After five weeks on this regimen all animals were mated and the administration of alcohol was discontinued after conception. The maternal body weight gains were similar in the two dietary groups prior to and throughout gestation. No significant differences were seen between the alcohol and control groups with respect to litter size and fetal weight at day 21 of gestation, but the placentas were significantly heavier in the alcohol group. These results indicate that fetal growth retardation, which is characteristic of in utero alcohol exposure, is not induced when the period of alcohol intake is restricted to the time preceding gestation.