Ethanol-induced advance in the onset of puberty is prevented by the GAB[A.sub.A] antagonist bicuculline in female rats *.: An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol

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From the author: Objective: The use of alcohol during lactation produces an advance in the onset of puberty in female rats. This research studied the possible participation of GAB[A.sub.A] activity in this phenomenon. Method: Female Wistar rats were exposed to one of three different treatments from 13 to 18 days of postnatal age: (1) ethanol (2.5 g/kg PO) twice a day and isotonic saline (10 ml/kg IP) four times a day (AS group), (2) ethanol (2.5 g/kg PO) twice a day and bicuculline (2.5 mg/ kg IP) four times a day (ABic group), (3) water (25 ml/kg PO) twice a day and bicuculline (2.5 mg/kg IP) four times a day (WBic group). A fourth group (control) did not receive any drug. Results: The advance in the age at vaginal opening and at the first vaginal estrous seen in females of the AS group was completely prevented in the ABic group when bicuculline was added to alcohol treatment. The age at first behavioral estrous, however, was not different between groups. The age at vaginal opening, first vaginal estrous and first behavioral estrous was not significantly different in control, ABic and WBic groups. Body weight at vaginal opening was lower in the AS group than in the other three groups. Gestational period was longer in the AS group, but the number of pups per litter was lower in females of the ABic and WBic groups. Conclusions: The results reported here support a significant role for GAB[A.sub.A] activity in the effects of alcohol at the onset of puberty.

Citation Details
Title: Ethanol-induced advance in the onset of puberty is prevented by the GAB[A.sub.A] antagonist bicuculline in female rats *.
Author: Jorge Juarez
Publication:Journal of Studies on Alcohol (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2003
Publisher: Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc.
Volume: 64 Issue: 6 Page: 802(7)

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