Voluntary consumption of ethanol during pregnancy, lactation, and post-lactation in mice

Abstract

Interest in ethanol and women has grown within the last decade, especially with regard to the adverse effects of drinking during pregnancy. Of particular interest to our research are the studies which have shown that ethanol intake decreases during pregnancy in human females (R. E. Little et al., J. Stud. Akohol, 37 (1976) 375 379) and non-human primates (R. H. Elton et al., J. Stud. AZcohoZ, 38 (1977) 2181 2183). The purpose of our studies was to provide more information on the issue of pregnancy and voluntary consumption of ethanol. We measured voluntary consumption of 10% (v/v) alcohol by C57BL/6J mice in a two-bottle choice situation in nonpregnant, pregnant, lactating, and post-lactating mice. Our data demonstrate: (1) a decrease in self-selection during pregnancy, (2) an even further decrease in alcohol intake during lactation, and (3) a gradual increase in alcohol consumption following removal of pups. Decreases in alcohol consumption were accompanied by increases in water intake. Though changes in taste, olfaction, ethanol metabolism, or other factors can possibly explain these results, it seems more reasonable to speculate that these changes in alcohol intake are related to hormonal fluctuations associated with pregnancy and lactation. This hormonal hypothesis is supported by animal studies which have reported that ovariectomy decreases alcohol consumption which is reversed by estrogen replacement therapy. Furthermore, ovariectomy appears to increase sensitivity to alcohol (T. P. Stortebecker, Acta Puthol. MicrobioE. Stand., 41 (1939) 104 119). Our own data from studies on the effect of ovariectomy on the response to ethanol also support a hormonal interpretation.