Disruption of species-specific behavior in neonatal quail following chronic prenatal ethanol exposure

Abstract

Bobwhite quail embryos were exposed to ethanol (5 mg every other day) from E5 to E21. Control embryos received comparable saline injections or were untreated. At 24 h posthatch, the neonates were tested in a single call approach test, using a Bobwhite maternal exodus call which had previously been shown to be a potent attractant to these animals. Almost all animals in all three groups approached the call, and latency of approach did not differ among the groups. The ethanol-treated animals, however, spent significantly less time within the approach area and exited the area significantly more often than did either the saline or untreated controls. Overall hyperactivity or loss of auditory acuity did not appear to account for the response deficits. These results suggest that species-specific behaviors might be a useful paradigm for the study of fetal alcohol effects.