Adaptation to moderate ethanol intake as reflected in the reproductive performance in the rat
1979
Rider, Agatha A.
The study determined whether adaptation to alcohol intake plays a significant role in the effects of alcohol ingestion. Rat dams on an adequate diet drank water containing 11% ethanol (w/w) beginning with day 1 pregnancy (Group II). Their reproductive performance was compared to dams who had ingested ethanol for 3 months prior to mating (Group I) and with non-alcohol-consuming dams (Group III). Ethanol contributed to 29% of the calories ingested. Deliveries were 100% for Group I, 62.5% for Group II, and 88% for Group III. Size of litter was 8.8 for Group I, 4.4 for Group II, and 10.5 for Group III. Survival to weaning and to 4 weeks of age were 90% and 80% for Group I, 77% and 50% for Group II, and 100% and 100% for Group III. Evidence of poorer reproductive performance of the rat dam placed on ethanol on day 1 of pregnancy suggested that adaptation to alcohol intake plays a role in the effects of alcohol ingestion. Body weight changes during lactation and pregnancy were no different in the adapted as compared to the non-adapted rat.
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