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The impact of periconceptional alcohol exposure on fat preference and gene expression in the mesolimbic reward pathway in adult rat offspring

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 14:05 authored by Dorey, ES, Carlie CullenCarlie Cullen, Lucia, D, Mah, KM, Manchadi, M-LR, Muhlhausler, BS, Moritz, KM
Alcohol consumption around the time of conception is highly prevalent in Western countries. Exposure to ethanol levels during gestation has been associated with altered development of the mesolimbic reward pathway in rats and increased propensity to addiction, however the effect of exposure only around the time of conception is unknown. The current study investigated the effects of periconceptional alcohol exposure (PC:EtOH) on alcohol and palatable food preferences and gene expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens of the adult offspring. Rats were exposed to a liquid diet containing ethanol (EtOH) (12.5% vol/vol) or a control diet from 4 days before mating until 4 days after mating. PC:EtOH had no effect on alcohol preference in either sex. At 15 months of age, however, male PC:EtOH offspring consumed more high-fat food when compared with male control offspring, but this preference was not observed in females. Expression of the dopamine receptor type 1 (Drd1a) was lower in the VTA of male PC:EtOH offspring compared with their control counterparts. There was no effect of PC:EtOH on mRNA expression of the µ-opioid receptor, tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), dopamine receptor type 2 (Drd2) or dopamine active transporter (Slc6a3). These data support the hypothesis that periconceptional alcohol exposure can alter expression of key components of the mesolimbic reward pathway and heighten the preference of offspring for palatable foods and may therefore increase their propensity towards diet-induced obesity. These results highlight the importance of alcohol avoidance when planning a pregnancy.

Funding

Multiple Sclerosis Australia

History

Publication title

Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Volume

9

Pagination

223-231

ISSN

2040-1744

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

© Cambridge University Press and the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 2017

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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