Understanding similarities and differences of FASD in three zebrafish populations

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a major public health concern, as prenatal exposure to ethanol can disrupt embryonic development and lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). These disorders are characterized by a wide range of morphological, behavioral, and cognitive impairments, which variability across individuals is strongly influenced by genetic background and environmental conditions. Animal models, particularly zebrafish, offer a powerful tool to investigate how such factors modulate susceptibility to alcohol. In this study, we examined the effects of embryonic alcohol exposure in three zebrafish populations (AB, TU, and OB), assessing developmental parameters, behavior, and gene expression. Results showed that the OB population exhibited higher mortality and pronounced alterations in genes related to metabolism and neurotransmission; AB displayed reduced body and eye growth, along with increased social cohesion under alcohol exposure; while TU was more vulnerable to behavioral effects despite showing morphological resilience. Furthermore, the expression of key genes such as sox2, th1, drd1b, gabra1, and bdnf varied according to both population and alcohol concentration. These findings emphasize the relevance of genetic differences in modulating alcohol's impact and reinforce zebrafish as a valuable translational model for FASD research, paving the way for more refined diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.