Growth deficits in rats exposed to alcohol in utero.

Abstract

The effect of prenatal alcohol on growth and development of rat offspring was studied using 38 pregnant rats, pair-fed on liquid diets containing ethanol as 0, 11.7, 23.3 and 35% of total calories. A 2nd control group fed only on solid lab chow diet, without alcohol was included. Weight gain, length of gestation and litter size were equivalent across groups receiving the liquid diet but the pregnant rats fed lab chow were 70% heavier at parturition than the liquid-diet controls. Rat pups of ethanol-treated mothers were deficient in body weight and length at 0, 10 and 20 days of age, compared with 0% controls, and the growth deficit was greater as ethanol intake increased. The ethanol-treated offspring also had a higher level of prenatal mortality and were more malformed than controls. Human fetal alcohol syndrome is discussed.