Prenatal ethanol preferentially enhances reactivity of the dopamine D1 but not D2 or D3 receptors in offspring.

Reports of prenatal ethanol (ETOH) effects on the dopamine system are inconsistent. In an attempt to clarify this issue, dams were given 35% ethanol-derived calories as the sole nutrient source in a liquid diet from the 10th through the 20th day of gestation (ETOH). Controls were pair-fed (PF) an isocaloric liquid diet or given ad libitum access to laboratory chow (LC).