Maternal manipulation during late gestation (GDs 17-20) enhances ethanol consumption and promotes changes and opioid mRNA expression in infant rats.

HERNANDEZ-FONSECA, K. ; MENDEZ UBACH, M.; MACCHIONE, A.F.; MOLINA, J.C.; GUTTLEIN, L; HAYMAL, O.B.; ABATE, P.

BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2019 vol. 368

0166-4328

Fetal ethanol experience generates learning and memories capable to increase ethanol consummatory behaviorsduring infancy. Opioid system seems to be involved in mediating those alcohol-related behaviors. In this work,we proposed to study the impact of prenatal exposure to a moderate ethanol dose, upon ingestion of the drug andpossible ethanol-induced molecular changes on opioid precursor peptides (POMC, Pro-enk and Pro-DYN) andreceptors (MOR, DOR and KOR) mRNA expression, in hypothalamus. Pregnant rats received during gestationaldays (GDs) 17-20, a daily intragastric (i.g.) administration with 2g/kg ethanol or water. A third group of damswas left undisturbed during pregnancy (Unmanipulated group). Intake test was conducted at postnatal days(PDs) 14-15. Three groups of pups were performed: control (no intake test), water (vehicle) and 5% ethanol. Atthe end of intake test blood samples were taken to quantify blood ethanol concentrations (BECs) and hy-pothalamus sections were obtained to perform qRT-PRC assessment of opioid precursor peptides and receptors.The analysis of the consummatory responses (% of consumption) and pharmacokinetic profiles (BECs) suggestedthat maternal manipulation induced by i.g. intubations, during the last four days of gestation (whenever ethanolor water), are sufficient to induce infantile ethanol intake during infancy. Gene expression from the hypotha-lamus of unmanipulated group revealed that infantile ingestive experiences with ethanol can down-regulateexpression of mRNA Pro-Dyn and up-regulate mRNA expression of MOR and KOR. Finally, MOR mRNA ex-pression was attenuated by prenatal i.g. manipulation in pups exposed to 5% ethanol