Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neonatal sleep-wake behaviour and adult alcohol consumption in rats.

Our previous experiments showed that suppression of early postnatal active (REM) sleep increases alcohol intake in adult rats. To study the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on neonatal sleep-wake behaviour and adult alcohol consumption pregnant rat dams were given 7% to 12% alcohol, 1% sucrose solution, or tap water as a sole liquid throughout gestation. Sleep-wake behaviour of the pups was studied at 6, 8, 12 and 15 days of age by using a movement sensitive mattress. The offspring who were exposed to alcohol in utero had significantly less active sleep and more wakefulness from total recording time than the controls. Their quiet state was also interrupted more often by waking episodes. At the age of 2 months voluntary alcohol intake of the rats exposed prenatally to alcohol was elevated compared to the controls. These findings suggest that early postnatal active sleep and the neurotransmitter systems regulating it may be the means by which in utero alcohol exposure affects adult alcohol drinking.