Ultrasonic vocalizations in young rats are modulated by ethanol-related cues as a function of prenatal exposure to the drug.

CULLERÉ, MARCELA E.; MOLINA, JUAN C.

Córdoba

Congreso; .XXVIII Congreso Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia; 2013

Prenatal ethanol experience affects later recognition of ethanol-related chemosensory cues. Infant and adolescent rats emit higher levels of Ultra Sonic Vocalizations (USVs) during anxiogenic events. In this study, we analyzed USV emissions as a function of differential ethanol prenatal experiences, in isolated subjects during infancy and adolescence. USV emissions were also confronted with ethanol-related or non-related odorants. Pregnant females received 0 or 2 g/kg ethanol during gestational days 17-20. During postnatal day 16 (PD16), while isolated, pups were exposed to no particular odor, pine shaving´s odor or ethanol odor. Similarly, adolescents were tested in terms of USV emission while exposed to either no odor or ethanol odor. In both ages, pups that experienced alcohol in utero showed very high USV levels when exposed to no specific odor or pine shavings. Ethanol odor clearly inhibited this anxiogenic response apparently related with social isolation. According to prior studies it appears that ethanol prenatal treatment increases stress responses via a hyperactivation of the HPA axis. Yet, this exacerbated response elicited by social isolation is clearly inhibited when the odorant perceived in utero is again presented.