Alcoholism is one of the most prevalent diseases in society and causes significant health and social
problems. Alcohol consumption by pregnant women is reported to cause adverse effects on the physical
and psychological growth of the fetus. However, the direct effect of chronic alcohol consumption on
reproductive fitness has not been tested. In recent years, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a
versatile model system to study the effects of alcohol on behavior and embryonic development. We
utilized the zebrafish model system to address the effect of chronic alcohol exposure (0.5% alcohol in the
holding tank for 9 weeks) on reproductive capacity. We found a dramatic decrease in fecundity,
measured by counting the number of eggs laid, when at least one of the parents is subject to chronic
alcohol exposure. Interestingly, a 9-week alcohol withdrawal program completely restored the reproductive
capacity of the treated subjects. In agreement with observations on fecundity, the chronic alcohol
exposure leads to increased anxiety, as measured by the novel-tank diving assay. Conversely, the
withdrawal program diminished heightened anxiety in alcohol-exposed subjects. Our results highlight
the adverse effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the reproductive capacity of both males and females,
and underscore the utility of the zebrafish model system to understand the biology of chronic
alcoholism.