Effects of embryonic ethanol exposure (2 g/kg/day, from E10–E15) compared to control on alcohol-related behaviors, including locomotor activity, anxiety, exploration and alcohol-seeking in pre-weanling female rats and voluntary consumption of alcohol in adolescent female rats. (a) Bar graph shows that embryonic ethanol exposure compared to control increases locomotor activity in an activity chamber in 15-day-old rats, as indicated by increased distance traveled (cm) during a 10-min test. (b) Bar graphs show that ethanol exposure compared to control increases thigmotaxis in 15-day-old rats, an anxiety-like behavior measured by increased distance traveled in the perimeter (cm) and number of entries into the perimeter within an activity chamber during a 10-min test. Representative activity traces shown in red illustrate the activity of a control and ethanol-exposed rat during the locomotor and thigmotaxis tests. (c) Bar graph shows that embryonic ethanol exposure compared to control increases anxiety in 15-day-old rats, as indicated by a decrease in time spent in the light zone during a 10-min light–dark preference test. (d) Bar graphs show that embryonic ethanol exposure increases exploratory behavior in 15-day-old rats, as indicated by increased number of rears and time spent rearing in an activity chamber during a 10-min test. (e) Bar graph shows that embryonic ethanol exposure compared to control increases alcohol-seeking behavior in 12-day-old rats, as indicated by an increased distance traveled (cm) during a 2-min test down a runway while a cotton ball moistened with 6% ethanol was applied directly in front of the rat’s snout but not while a control cotton ball moistened with water was applied. (f) Bar graph shows that embryonic ethanol exposure compared to control in 35-day-old rats increases alcohol consumption as measured using a 20% intermittent-access paradigm. Results are shown as means ± standard errors. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.
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