Alcohol Vapor Inhalation Exposure
Objective: To model heavy, binge-like alcohol exposure during early postnatal development and assess resulting neurobiological and behavioral alterations in offspring
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Equipment1
not specified • not specified • not specified • not mentioned
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Protocol Steps
Alcohol vapor inhalation exposure
Expose rat pups to alcohol vapor inhalation during early postnatal period to model heavy, binge-like alcohol exposure
Note: Target blood alcohol concentration of 0.5 g/dL
View evidence from paper
“exposed rats to alcohol vapor inhalation during postnatal days (P)3–5 (blood alcohol concentration = 0.5 g/dL)”
Immunohistochemistry analysis of cerebellar vermis and hippocampus
Analyze cerebellar vermis and hippocampus of rat pups for signs of glial cell activation and neuronal loss using immunohistochemistry at different developmental stages
Note: Multiple timepoints assessed during development
View evidence from paper
“The cerebellar vermis and hippocampus of rat pups were analyzed for signs of glial cell activation and neuronal loss by immunohistochemistry at different developmental stages”
Cytokine production measurement
Measure cytokine production using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction during peak blood alcohol concentration and withdrawal periods
Note: Assessed at two distinct timepoints: peak BAC and withdrawal
View evidence from paper
“Cytokine production was measured by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction during peak blood alcohol concentration and withdrawal periods”
Adolescent behavioral assessment
Assess adolescent offspring for alterations in gait and spatial memory
Note: Testing conducted after animals reach adolescent stage
View evidence from paper
“adolescent offspring were assessed for alterations in gait and spatial memory”