Effects of Maternal Ethanol Consumption on the Offspring Sensory-Motor Development, Ultrasonic Vocalization, Audiogenic Immobility Reaction and Brain Monoamine Synthesis

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Female rats were given 16% ethanol solution as the sole liquid during the entire period of gestation. At birth the offspring was removed and reared by foster dams consuming normal tap water. The development of sensory motor behavior and emotional reactions was delayed by 1-2 days in the prenatally ethanol exposed pups as assessed by tests on body righting, acoustic startle response, air righting, rearing and ultrasonic vocalization. In the open-field test the normally occurring behavioral difference between the sexes was not found in the prenatally ethanol exposed pups. Both sexes of the ethanol exposed pups behaved like the female controls suggesting deficient masculinization of the ethanol exposed male pups during fetal age. Biochemical analysis of the brains showed a decreased synthesis of serotonin and dopamine.