Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/111867
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Type: Journal article
Title: The impact of periconceptional alcohol exposure on fat preference and gene expression in the mesolimbic reward pathway in adult rat offspring
Author: Dorey, E.
Cullen, C.
Lucia, D.
Mah, K.
Manchadi, M.
Muhlhausler, B.
Moritz, K.
Citation: Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 2018; 9(2):223-231
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Issue Date: 2018
ISSN: 2040-1744
2040-1752
Statement of
Responsibility: 
E. S. Dorey, C. L. Cullen, D. Lucia, K. M. Mah, M.-L. Roy Manchadi, B. S. Muhlhausler and K. M. Moritz
Abstract: 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.
Keywords: Alcohol
food preference
pregnancy
reward
DOI: 10.1017/S2040174417000824
Grant ID: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1046137
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1083009
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1078164
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s2040174417000824
Appears in Collections:Agriculture, Food and Wine publications
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