receiving the same amount of food in g/kg/day as its matched ethanol consuming pregnant dam. Normally, a carbohydrate substance (such as maltose dextrin or sucrose) is used to account for the ethanol-derived calories in the diet. Using a pair-fed group can also control for the stress of any procedures that the ethanol group may be subjected to. For example, if an oral intubation method of ethanol administration is used, pair-fed animals can be orally intubated with an isocaloric amount of maltose dextrin/sucrose, and are therefore subjected to the same procedures as the ethanol animals.
