Ethanol Improves Lactation Outcome in Malnourished Rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the interaction between ethanol given in a drinking solution containing 5% ethanol and food deprivation on the development of lactating rats. Wistar female rats received from delivery (day 1) to day 25 either the ethanol solution (E) or water (W) as the sole fluid source and food “ad libitum” (A) or restricted to 60% of the amount ate by the “ad libitum” group (M). Offspring was evaluated for somatic development (body weight gain and eye opening), motor coordination on day 19 (the rim escape test) and behavior in an open field, on day 30. Results indicated increased fluid consumption by malnourished dams exposed to ethanol (ME: 51.2 ± 2.8; MW: 43.1 ± 8.5; p < 0.05, Student's t-test). Offspring body weight gain was significantly increased in this group. Moreover, malnourished offspring exposed to ethanol presented less mortality than their water exposed controls: ME: 9.3%; MW: 38.8%, p < 0.05, Fisher exact probability test. Performance in the rim escape test was better in the malnourished ethanol group. No differences were found in the behavior in the open field. These data suggest that, under drastic conditions of malnutrition, low doses of ethanol may improve some aspects of offspring development.