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

Fetal Alcohol Programming of Subsequent Alcohol Affinity: A Review Based on Preclinical, Clinical and Epidemiological Studies

“…This effect was observed when comparing prenatally manipulated subjects (mothers administered with either EtOH or vehicle during late gestation) vs. unmanipulated animals. Consequently, prenatal manipulation promotes changes in MOR mRNA expression (Guttlein et al, 2019). In this study, MOR mRNA levels increased in infant rats following the consumption of the drug.…”

“…In this study, MOR mRNA levels increased in infant rats following the consumption of the drug. Moreover, prenatal intragastric manipulation during late pregnancy (that can act as a mild stressor) inhibited the increment of MOR mRNA when pups were tested in an EtOH intake test (Guttlein et al, 2019). These studies suggest a key role of MOR and the enkephalinergic systems in EtOH-mediated reinforcement during early ontogeny.…”

“…Epigenetic modifications seem to explain the changes in gene expression since these effects were associated with a reduction of DNA methylation at PDYN and KOR gene promoters (Wille-Bille et al, 2018). Alternative studies also showed that gene expression from the hypothalamus of rat pups (unmanipulated during gestation) exhibited a down-regulated expression of PDYN mRNA and up-regulated mRNA expression of KOR when the first experience with EtOH was defined by infantile consumption of the drug (Guttlein et al, 2019). These results support the hypothesis of Walker and Koob (2008) that repeated EtOH exposure activates an anti-reward system that sensitizes the organism to stress and anxiety-related stimuli and, in turn, promotes a particular sensitivity to EtOH's anxiolytic effects.…”