The effect of long-term ethanol maternal ingestion and withdrawal on brain regional monoamine and amino acid precursors in 15-day-old rats.

The effects of alcohol on brain monoamines were studied in 15-day-old offspring of rats given ethanol until the 21st day of gestation or the 15th day post partum. Increased noradrenaline concentrations were found in limbic system, hemispheres, diencephalon and brain stem of pups from mothers under alcohol treatment, and in hemispheres, diencephalon and brain stem of pups from deprived mothers. Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindol acetic acid were augmented in limbic system, diencephalon and brain stem of pups from mothers under alcohol whereas tyrosine was decreased in all brain regions studied in pups from alcoholic and deprived mothers. Consequently, chronic ethanol ingestion by pregnant rats has deleterious effects on CNS development of 15-day-old offspring which persists 15 days after alcohol withdrawal.