Long‐term maternal ethanol administration decreases nitric oxide metabolites in brains of postnatal mice

Abstract

Japan SuMlMARYWe examined the effect of long-term maternal ethanol consumption on nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in brains of postnatal mice. Three female adult ddY mice were given 10% ethanol solution ad libitzrm as drinking water for a 4 weeks before mating and continued on their corresponding ethanol solution during gestation and lactation. Other 2 mice receiving tap water ad libitrrm during gestation and lactation served as controls. The offspring in both groups were weaned at 22 days of age, and they were maintained on the chow and water ad Zibitum. In brain NOs levels in the offspring at 42 days of age, offspring with maternal alcohol consumption were significantly lower than those in controls, but serum NOs levels did not differ between groups. No significant differences in monoamines in the brain were evident between offspring with and without maternal alcohol administration. Present results indicated that long-term maternal ethanol administration reduced brain NO metabolite levels in offspring, but not serum NO metabolites or brain monoamines.