Alterations in the nuclear volume of neurones from the hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei of fetuses born to rats subject to chronic alcoholism.

Previous authors have noticed alterations of the neuroendocrine system in the offspring of chronically alcoholic animals. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats, were used fed a liquid control diet and a 5%-alcohol liquid diet (Lieber and DeCarli). They were divided into four groups: Control (C), Pair Fed (P), Embryonic alcohol (E) and Fetal alcohol (F). Results obtained in the statistical analysis were as follows: from the paraventricular nucleus: between E and F, E and P, E and C, p less than 0.001. F and C p less than 0.01. P and C p less than 0.005. Between F and P there were no significant differences. From the supraoptic nucleus: E and P, E and C p less than 0.001. F and P p less than 0.025, F and C p less than 0.01. Between E and F, P and C there were no significant differences.