Pre-natal exposure to alcohol: fathers may be partly responsible

(Image: Pixabay CC0) - In male mice, alcohol consumption in the weeks preceding conception affects the transcription of genes important for fetal development Preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has traditionally been seen as a maternal responsibility, but a growing body of research suggests that fathers have a responsibility as well. A new study published in Scientific Reports by a team from Texas A&M University and Laval University supports this idea. These researchers demonstrated that in male mice that had regularly consumed alcohol during the weeks preceding reproduction, certain proteins associated with the genetic material of the spermatozoa were in an altered biochemical form that affected the transcription of genes important for fetal development.ines, associated with the genetic material of spermatozoa, were in an altered biochemical form that affected the transcription of genes important for fetal development. The researchers demonstrated this by offering male mice a solution containing 10% ethanol for 4 hours a day for 70 days. This experimental protocol, which simulates a binge drinking situation, is equivalent to taking five drinks in two hours each day, says one of the authors of the study, Claude Robert, professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and researcher at the University of Montreal.This experimental protocol, which simulates a binge-drinking situation, is equivalent to taking five drinks in two hours each day, says one of the authors of the study, Claude Robert , professor in the Department of Animal Sciences and researcher at the Centre for Research in Reproduction, Development and Intergenerational Health at Laval University.