Preconception alcohol increases offspring vulnerability to stress via epigenetic programming

The effect of preconception drinking by the mother on the life-long health outcomes of her babies is not known, and therefore, in this study using an animal model, we determined the impact of preconception alcohol drinking of the mother on offspring stress response during adult hood. Preconception alcohol exposures involved feeding adult female rats with 6.7% alcohol in their diet for 4 weeks, went without alcohol for 3 weeks and were bred to generate male and female offspring. Preconception alcohol exposed offspring ’s birth weight, body growth, stress response, immune function, anxiety-like behaviors and changes in stress regulatory gene and protein hormone levels were evaluated.
Source: Alcohol - Category: Addiction Authors: Source Type: research