The study by researchers at Texas A&M University was conducted on mother sheep and their unborn lambs. The researchers simulated human binge-drinking behavior in sheep that were in their third trimester of pregnancy. The sheep were given either doses of alcohol or saline solution for three days, followed by four days with no alcohol or saline. The researchers then measured levels of thyroid hormone in the animals' blood.

The researchers discovered that alcohol consumption reduced the levels of thyroid hormone in both the sheep and the fetus.

"The administration of alcohol to sheep during the equivalent of the third trimester of pregnancy resulted in altered thyroid function in both the mother and fetus," said lead researcher Dr. Timothy A. Cudd.

Since thyroid hormone is necessary for proper brain development in humans, the study may provide a link between thyroid function and alcohol-related birth defects.

The study is published in the January issue of the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

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