[Action of alcoholic intoxication in rats during lactation on the function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system in the progeny].

The authors review the effect of alcoholic intoxication of mother's body during lactation on hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenocortical function (HHACF) of the offspring both at rest and during performance of muscle exercise of medium duration. During lactation, alcoholic intoxication disturbs the normal development of HHACF), with the disturbances being persistent and aggravated with age. The offspring of rats exposed to alcoholic intoxication responded to muscle exercise by a significant lowering of all the parameters under study. Of paramount importance are two concepts derived from the studies described. First, it is clearly seen that abnormalities are experienced both by the adrenal cortex and the central component of HHACF--the hypothalamic control of the corticotropic function of the hypophysis. Second, the data obtained enrich the concepts about the adverse action of alcohol on the offspring (alcohol intake by lactating mothers).