A new animal study concludes that women who take cholesterol supplements during their pregnancy may prevent drinking-related damage to their unborn children, New Scientist reported Jan. 22.

Researchers found that a protein in zebrafish called SHH -- similar to one in humans that controls early development -- is only active when bound to cholesterol. Scientists at the Duke University School of Medicine exposed embryos to low levels of alcohol and found that while they had normal levels of SHH, a related gene malfunctioned, leading to fetal alcohol syndrome-like defects.

However, when the embryos were given cholesterol supplements, birth defects were prevented.

The research was published online on Jan. 22, 2007 in the journal Laboratory Investigation.