Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Alters Behavioral Laterality of Adult Offspring in Rats

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Abstract
The effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol on side preference behavior were examined in adult Long Evens rats from three prenatal treatment groups: prenatal alcohol exposed (35% ethanol-derived calories 35% EDC), nutritional control (0% ethanol-derived calories, 0% EDC) or standard control (lab chow, LC). Rats prenatally exposed to alcohol exhibited less aide preference in a two-lever operant dumber while responding for food reward and alternated between the left and right levers more than either control group, which did not differ from each other. Although side preference increased over days of testing in the control groups, the 35% EDC subjects' side preference did not change with increased experience. When responding on a nonrewarded schedule (extinction), the three prenatal treatment groups did not differ in side preference. Alcohol-exposed offspring also displayed a marked difference in paw use compared to control subjects: while most of the control subjects used one paw preferentially, 35% EDC subjects used both paws together or alternated paws. Prenatal alcohol exposure appears to alter the normal development of behavioral laterality, and this altered development persists into adulthood. Prenatal alcohol exposure may also alter the functional Interaction between intrinsic laterality and reward contingencies.