PATERNAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE - DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS ON THE OFFSPRING OF RATS

The effect of paternal alcohol exposure on neurochemical and behaviora l parameters was investigated using as a model system glial cells deri ved from newborn rat brain and cultured for 4 weeks. The total brain n eurochemical parameters from rats born to mothers sired by an alcohol treated father were also investigated. Enzymatic markers of nerve cell development (enolase isoenzymes and glutamine synthetase) and the def ense system (superoxide dismutase) against free radicals formed during alcohol degradation were measured in order to evaluate nerve cell dam age. Behavioral locomotor tests (open-field, novelty-seeking, light/da rk) were carried out to show long-lasting effects of paternal alcoholi zation on the offspring. Behavioral and developmental alterations were found until 1 year of age in the offspring and a significant growth r etardation was observed in the males. Our results suggest that paterna l alcohol exposure produces developmental and behavioral effects in th e offspring. The consequence of either alcohol withdrawal during stage one spermatogenesis, or maternal diet supplementation with manganese during pregnancy were investigated. It was observed that some of the e ffects of paternal alcohol exposure on the offspring may be reversed b y these treatments. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All ri ghts reserved.