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Ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt affects social behavior and increases susceptibility to acute ethanol effects during adolescence in male mice
Author(s) -
Demarque Kelly C.,
DutraTavares Ana C.,
NunesFreitas André L.,
Araújo Ulisses C.,
Manhães Alex C.,
AbreuVillaça Yael,
Filgueiras Cláudio C.,
RibeiroCarvalho Anderson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1002/jdn.10017
Subject(s) - serotonergic , ethanol , corticosterone , medicine , psychology , endocrinology , saline , open field , growth spurt , physiology , developmental psychology , serotonin , receptor , chemistry , hormone , biochemistry
The brain is particularly vulnerable to ethanol effects during its growth spurt. Outcomes of early ethanol exposure such as hyperactivity have been extensively investigated; however, persons with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder frequently have social impairments and are heavy drinkers. Despite that, scant information is available regarding the neurobiological basis of these latter behavioral issues. Here, Swiss mice exposed to ethanol (Etoh, 5 g/kg i.p., alternate days) or saline during the brain growth spurt [postnatal day (PN) 2 to 8] were used to assess social behavior after an ethanol challenging during adolescence. At PN39, animals were administered with a single ethanol dose (1 g/Kg) or water by gavage and were then evaluated in the three‐chamber sociability test. We also evaluated corticosterone serum levels and the frontal cerebral cortex serotoninergic system. Etoh males showed reductions in sociability. Ethanol challenging reverted these alterations in social behavior, reduced corticosterone levels, and increased the 5‐HT 2 receptor binding of male Etoh mice. No alterations were observed in 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA contents. These data support the idea that ethanol exposure during the brain growth spurt impacts social abilities during adolescence, alters ethanol reexposure effects, and suggests that stress response and serotoninergic system play roles in this phenomenon.