Paternal ethanol exposure alters offspring motor skills and behavior in a sex-dependent manner and modifies early growth response 1 expression in the medial prefrontal cortex

Abstract

Background: Alcohol consumption is linked to various health issues exerting direct effects on the consumer and indirectly on offspring through both maternal and paternal transmission pathways. Our recent studies highlight the importance of paternal health before conception, showing that male ethanol consumption can alter epigenetic sperm marks and DNA integrity and testicular organization which led to adverse effects on embryonic development and induced alterations in testicular and sperm characteristics in the offspring.Methods: Based on these findings, this study explores the effects of paternal ethanol (15 % v/v) consumption for 12 days on motor development in mice offspring. We also analyzed different behavioral parameters and evaluated the expression of immediate early genes from the medial prefrontal cortex in the progeny during adulthood.Results: Paternal alcohol intake negatively affects the offspring, showing a delay in the acquisition of motor developmental skills at an early age and some modifications of behavior in a sex-dependent manner in adulthood. Furthermore, this consumption shows an increase in the expression of the Early Growth Response 1 gene in both males and females in the medial prefrontal cortex.Limitations: In situ expression of the early growth response 1 gene was not measured. Hormonal fluctuations during the estrous cycle of the female offspring were not considered, these changes could interact with the observed outcomes.Conclusions: This gene plays a key role in regulating cognition, emotion, and behavior. These findings highlight the importance of considering paternal health and alcohol consumption when assessing the risks to future generations.