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Sex differences in vulnerability to developmental spatial learning deficits induced by limited binge alcohol exposure in neonatal rats.
- Source :
-
Neurobiology of learning and memory [Neurobiol Learn Mem] 1995 Nov; Vol. 64 (3), pp. 265-75. - Publication Year :
- 1995
-
Abstract
- The two main objectives of this study were (1) to replicate previous findings that 6 days of binge-like exposure to alcohol during the neonatal brain growth spurt induces significant place learning deficits in juvenile rats and (2) to determine whether more limited (3-day) binge-like exposure during the neonatal period induces place learning deficits and whether the effects depend on the developmental timing of the exposure. Using artificial rearing methods and a split-litter experimental design, groups of male and female neonatal rats were given binge-like exposure to 4.5 g/kg/day of ethanol in milk formula either on Postnatal Days (PD) 4-6, PD 7-9, or PD 4-9, which yielded mean peak blood alcohol concentrations of 230-260 mg/dl. Controls included an artificially reared gastrostomy control group (GC) given an isocaloric milk formula diet on PD 4-9 and a suckle control group reared normally by lactating dams. Acquisition of place learning in the Morris spatial navigation task was trained for 6 consecutive days beginning on PD 26; a probe trial was given at the end of the sixth day. As expected, both males and females given alcohol on PD 4-9 had significant deficits in acquisition and probe trial performance relative to SC and GC groups. Males given the PD 7-9 exposure had significant place learning deficits which were as severe as with the full 6-day exposure. The PD 4-6 exposure in males produced only a nonsignificant trend toward slower acquisition. Females were not significantly affected by either 3-day exposure. The latter phase of the neonatal brain growth spurt appears to constitute a sex-specific period of enhanced vulnerability to alcohol-induced developmental spatial learning deficits.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Brain drug effects
Brain physiopathology
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Escape Reaction drug effects
Escape Reaction physiology
Ethanol pharmacokinetics
Ethanol toxicity
Female
Gestational Age
Male
Maze Learning drug effects
Maze Learning physiology
Mental Recall drug effects
Orientation drug effects
Rats
Sex Characteristics
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders physiopathology
Mental Recall physiology
Orientation physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1074-7427
- Volume :
- 64
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Neurobiology of learning and memory
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 8564380
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1006/nlme.1995.0009