THE ALLEVIATING EFFECT OF ZINC SULFATE ON THE LONG-TERM POSTNATAL ALCOHOL-INDUCED MORPHOLOGICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND METABOLIC IMPAIRMENTS IN THE OFFSPRING OF ALCOHOLIZED FEMALE ALBINO RATS

Background: The present work aimed to assess morphological, behavioral, and metabolic changes in the offspring of female white rats given 15% ethanol solution during pregnancy and to address the possibility of correcting ethanol-induced impairments at long-term developmental consequences using the antioxidant Zinc Sulfate. Methods: The research involved three groups of white mongrel rats: 1- 6-month-old intact rats (7 animals). Group 2 - was the 6-month-old offsprings of females, who consumed a 15% ethanol solution during pregnancy, and group 3 was 6-month-old offsprings of alcoholized females given Zinc sulfate (5 mg/kg) in their morning feed. The total number of neurons in the limbic system's cortical and subcortical structures was counted. Spatial learning and memory formation were estimated in the elevated-type multiway labyrinth. Oxidative stress was measured using the FRAS5 photometric system. Results: Alcohol consumption during pregnancy induces long-lasting changes during the postnatal period (up to 6 months). These changes are manifested through a reduction in the number of neurons and glial cells in the cortical and subcortical structures of the limbic system. Zinc sulfate acts as an antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress levels, leading to an improvement in the learning process and a decreased level of cell death. Conclusion: Zinc sulfate acts as an antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress levels, leading to an improvement in the learning process and a decreased level of cell death. However, it cannot completely reverse the changes caused by alcohol consumption.