Developmental, behavioral, and pharmacological characteristics of rat offspring from mothers receiving ethanol during gestation or lactation.

Ethanol solution (10 or 20% v/v) sweetened with .4% saccharin was given to female rats as the only source of fluid. In the 1st experiment the administration was throughout the gestation period. Developmental, behavioral, and pharmacological tests were performed with the offspring. Litters born from females of the experimental group showed a decrease in the mortality rate induced by pentylenetetrazol, in comparison with either pair-fed controls or an ad libitum control group. No other differences were detected. In the 2nd experiment the administration was throughout the lactation period. Pups raised by lactating mothers receiving ethanol showed a significant decrease in weight gain. Also, the maternal behavior of the ethanol-treated mothers, measured by nest-building and retrieval activities, showed a significant decrease when compared to pair-fed controls.