The Comparative Effect of L-carnitine in Different Stages of Pregnancy on Alcohol-induced Memory Impairment in Adult Rat Offspring

Neuroprotective effects of L-carnitine on damage caused by fetal exposure to ethanol have been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different doses of L-carnitine at different stages of pregnancy on the memory of two month old offsprings whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy.

For the purpose of this study, 55 pregnant female rats were randomly divided into 11 groups of 5, including control group, which received drinking water, and the ethanol group which received drinking water containing 10 % (w/v) ethanol. L-Carnitine treated group received L-carnitine in doses of 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg in addition to the ethanol, in the first 10 days or the second 10 days of pregnancy. For modeling the third trimester of pregnancy, doses of L-carnitine were gavaged to the rat neonates for 10 days. After two months of birth, the memories of offsprings were evaluated using Passive Avoidance Task (PAT) and Novel Object Recognition Test (ORT).

Administration of L-carnitine significantly increased discrimination of the ORT index and the escape latency of entry to dark compartment in PAT by two month old offspring compared to the ethanol group. The mentioned indices were significantly increased at a dose of 150 mg/kg compared to the dose of 50 mg/kg throughout all pregnancy periods. These indices were significantly different when l-carnitine was administered in the second 10 days of pregnancy compared to any other periods.

The administration of L-carnitine during pregnancy can prevent alcohol-induced memory impairment in rat offsprings. This effect was more significant at higher doses of L-carnitine. The best response was seen when L-carnitine was administered to mothers in the second 10 days of pregnancy.