Moderate episodic prenatal alcohol does not impact female offspring fertility in rats

in Reproduction
Authors:
Elizabeth K McReight School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

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Seng H Liew Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

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Sarah E Steane School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

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Karla J Hutt Ovarian Biology Laboratory, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

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Karen M Moritz School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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Lisa K Akison School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2667-3743

Correspondence should be addressed to L K Akison; Email: l.akison@uq.edu.au
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-20-0039
Volume/Issue:
Volume 159: Issue 5
Page Range:
615–626
Article Type:
Research Article
Online Publication Date:
May 2020
Copyright:
© 2020 Society for Reproduction and Fertility 2020
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Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has been associated with reproductive dysfunction in offspring. However, studies in females, particularly examining long-term infertility or impacts on ovarian reserve, are lacking. The current study utilised a moderate, episodic exposure model in rats to mimic ‘special occasion’ drinking, which is reported to be common during pregnancy. Our objective was to examine the consequences of this prenatal alcohol exposure on reproductive parameters in female offspring. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with either an ethanol gavage (1 g EtOH/kg body weight), or an equivalent volume of saline, on embryonic days 13.5 and 14.5 of pregnancy, resulting in a peak blood alcohol concentration of ~0.04%. Neonatal female offspring were examined for molecular markers regulating early follicle numbers in the ovary, and unbiased stereology was used to quantify primordial and early growing follicle numbers. Puberty onset (age at vaginal opening and first estrous) was measured post-weaning, and estrous cycles, reproductive hormones (progesterone and estradiol) and pregnancy success was measured in adults (5–6 months of age). We found no evidence that any of these reproductive parameters were significantly altered by PAE in this model. This animal study provides some reassurance for women who may have consumed a small amount of alcohol during their pregnancy. However, previously published effects on offspring metabolism using this model reinforce avoidance of alcohol during pregnancy.

Supplementary Materials

    • Summary of treated dams and offspring used in each experiment

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Print ISSN:
1470-1626
Online ISSN:
1741-7899

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