title: Placental transport of alcohol and its effect on maternal and fetal acid-base balance.
abstract: The placental transport of alcohol and its effect on maternal and fetal acid-base balance studied in 10 sheep experiments by the maternal infusion of a 9.75 per cent solution of alcohol-dextrose at a rate of 15 c.c. per kilogram for 1 or 2 hours. Serial maternal and fetal blood sampling during and following the alcohol infusion revealed rapid placental diffusion of alcohol, a highly significant correlation between maternal and fetal blood alcohol concentrations, and a similar peak concentration of approximately 0.230 Gm. per 100 ml. in maternal and fetal blood that differed only in time of onset during the 1 and 2 hour infusion periods. Blood alcohol concentrations remained high for several hours during the postinfusion period. A significant maternal hyperlactacidemia and hyperglycemia were noted but did not result in significant alterations in maternal acid-base balance. An initial fetal metabolic acidosis and later mixed acidosis were observed during the alcohol infusion and worsened during the postinfusion period.
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000431:Ethanol; D010100:Oxygen