Rat offspring sired by males treated with alcohol

Male rats were intubated twice daily with either 2 or 3 g/kg of alcohol for nine weeks and were then bred to untreated females. Control animals were intubated with vehicle (distilled water). Controls and 2-g/kg males were pair-fed to 3-g/kg males. A fourth group served as a nonintubated, ad lib control. Male fertility was not affected by alcohol. Mean birth weights were not affected by paternal alcohol treatment, but there was a significant increase in the number of "runts" (< 5.5 g at birth) in the 3-g/kg paternal group. There was also a decrease in the percent of males per litter sired by alcohol-treated fathers. Adrenal weights were increased at birth and spleen weights were decreased at 21 days of age in these offspring as well. These results indicate the potential of paternal alcohol consumption for significantly altering stature and organs in offspring.