scholarly journals Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure modifies sex-specific CRFR1 activity in the central amygdala and anxiety-like behavior in adolescent offspring.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siara Kate Rouzer ◽  
Marvin R Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorders ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Central Amygdala ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent among individuals with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and adolescent rodents demonstrate anxiety-like behavior following moderate PAE on Gestational Day (G) 12. A likely systemic target of PAE is the stress peptide corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), as activation of CRF receptor 1 (CRFR1) in the medial nucleus of the central amygdala (CeM) is known to increase anxiety-like behavior in adults. To determine if CRF-CRFR1 interactions underly PAE-induced anxiety, functional changes in CRF system activity were investigated in adolescent male and female Sprague Dawley rats following G12 PAE. Compared to air-exposed controls, PAE increased basal spontaneous (s) inhibitory post-synaptic current (IPSC) frequency in the CeM of males, but not females. Furthermore, PAE blunted CRFR1-regulated miniature (m) IPSCs in a sex- and dose-specific manner, and only PAE males demonstrated tonic CRFR1 activity in the CeM. It was further determined that G12 PAE decreased CRFR1 mRNA in the CeM of males while increasing regional expression in females. Finally, infusion of a CRFR1 agonist into the CeM of adolescents produced a blunted expression of CRFR1-induced anxiety-like behavior exclusively in PAE males, mirroring the blunted physiology demonstrated by PAE males. Cumulatively, these data suggest that CRFR1 function within the CeM is age- and sex-specific, and PAE not only increases the expression of anxiety-like behavior, but may reduce the efficacy of treatment for PAE-induced anxiety through CRFR1-associated mechanisms. Therefore, future research will be necessary to develop targeted treatment of anxiety disorders in individuals with a history of PAE.

scholarly journals Prenatal Alcohol and THC E-Cigarette Exposure Effects on Motor Development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen Rian Breit ◽  
Cristina Rodriguez ◽  
Annie Lei ◽  
Samirah Hussain ◽  
Jennifer D. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Sensorimotor Development ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

It has been well established that prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to a wide range of neurological and behavioral deficits, including alterations in motor domains. However, much less is known about the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on motor development, despite the fact that cannabis is the most commonly consumed illicit drug among women. Cannabis use among pregnant women has become increasingly popular given the wide-spread perception that consumption is safe during pregnancy. Moreover, alcohol and cannabis are commonly used together, even among pregnant women. Yet, few studies have explored the potential consequences of combined prenatal exposure on behavioral domains. Using our previously established model, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vaporized alcohol, THC via e-cigarettes, the combination, or a vehicle from gestational days 5-20. Following birth, offspring were tested on early sensorimotor development, adolescent motor coordination, and adolescent activity levels. Prenatal e-cigarette THC exposure delayed sensorimotor development early in life and impaired motor coordination later in adolescence. However, combined prenatal alcohol and THC exposure produced hyperactivity among male offspring. These data suggest that prenatal cannabis exposure may lead to impaired motor skills throughout early development, and that combined exposure with alcohol during gestation may also lead to hyperactivity in adolescence. These findings have important implications for pregnant women and public policy.

scholarly journals Moderate episodic prenatal alcohol does not impact female offspring fertility in rats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K McReight ◽  
Seng H Liew ◽  
Sarah E Steane ◽  
Karla J Hutt ◽  
Karen M Moritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

AbstractPrenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been associated with reproductive dysfunction in offspring. However, studies in females, particularly examining long-term infertility or impacts on ovarian reserve, are lacking. The current study utilised a moderate, episodic exposure model in rats to mimic ‘special occasion’ drinking, which is reported to be common during pregnancy. Our objective was to examine the consequences of this prenatal alcohol exposure on reproductive parameters in female offspring. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were treated with either an ethanol gavage (1g EtOH/kg body weight), or an equivalent volume of saline, on embryonic days 13.5 and 14.5 of pregnancy, resulting in a peak blood alcohol concentration of ∼0.04%. Neonatal female offspring were examined for molecular markers regulating early follicle numbers in the ovary and unbiased stereology used to quantify primordial and early growing follicle numbers. Puberty onset (age at vaginal opening and first estrous) was measured post-weaning and estrous cycles, reproductive hormones (progesterone and estradiol) and pregnancy success measured in adults (5-6 months of age). We found no evidence that any of these reproductive parameters were significantly altered by PAE in this model. This animal study provides some reassurance for women who may have consumed a small amount of alcohol during their pregnancy. However, previously published effects on offspring metabolism using this model reinforce avoidance of alcohol during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Moderate episodic prenatal alcohol does not impact female offspring fertility in rats

Reproduction ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 159 (5) ◽  
pp. 615-626
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K McReight ◽  
Seng H Liew ◽  
Sarah E Steane ◽  
Karla J Hutt ◽  
Karen M Moritz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Reproductive Hormones ◽  
Exposure Model ◽  
Reproductive Parameters ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been associated with reproductive dysfunction in offspring. However, studies in females, particularly examining long-term infertility or impacts on ovarian reserve, are lacking. The current study utilised a moderate, episodic exposure model in rats to mimic ‘special occasion’ drinking, which is reported to be common during pregnancy. Our objective was to examine the consequences of this prenatal alcohol exposure on reproductive parameters in female offspring. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with either an ethanol gavage (1 g EtOH/kg body weight), or an equivalent volume of saline, on embryonic days 13.5 and 14.5 of pregnancy, resulting in a peak blood alcohol concentration of ~0.04%. Neonatal female offspring were examined for molecular markers regulating early follicle numbers in the ovary, and unbiased stereology was used to quantify primordial and early growing follicle numbers. Puberty onset (age at vaginal opening and first estrous) was measured post-weaning, and estrous cycles, reproductive hormones (progesterone and estradiol) and pregnancy success was measured in adults (5–6 months of age). We found no evidence that any of these reproductive parameters were significantly altered by PAE in this model. This animal study provides some reassurance for women who may have consumed a small amount of alcohol during their pregnancy. However, previously published effects on offspring metabolism using this model reinforce avoidance of alcohol during pregnancy.

Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on activity and learning in Sprague-Dawley rats

1996 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Westergren ◽  
B. Rydenhag ◽  
M. Bassen ◽  
T. Archer ◽  
N.G. Conradi
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol

Complex Trauma and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Clinical Implications

2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvette D. Hyter
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Child Development ◽  
Academic Outcomes ◽  
Complex Trauma ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Complex trauma resulting from chronic maltreatment and prenatal alcohol exposure can significantly affect child development and academic outcomes. Children with histories of maltreatment and those with prenatal alcohol exposure exhibit remarkably similar central nervous system impairments. In this article, I will review the effects of each on the brain and discuss clinical implications for these populations of children.

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