The role of liquid diet formulation in the postnatal ethanol exposure of rats via mother's milk.
The nutritional adequacy of three liquid diets containing ethanol to support lactation was studied in rats. Diets 1 and 2 provided 18 and 25% kcal, respectively, as protein with 36% of total calories as ethanol, while in diet 3 alcohol provided 28% and protein 25% of total calories. Three series of isoenergetically pair-fed rats, as well as an ad libitum group fed a solid diet, were studied. A primary maternal malnutrition was evident in rats fed diet 1. With respect to diet 2, the 96% postnatal mortality which occurred may have been due to an inhibition of milk production mediated by exaggerated blood alcohol concentrations present in the lactating dams. Diet 3 seemed to be nutritionally adequate for the extra requirements for lactation and a direct effect of ethanol was observed in the sucklings. High blood alcohol levels (25-50 mmol/1) were obtained in dams fed ethanol diets 1 and 3; however only 1% of maternal blood alcohol appeared in the blood of sucklings, demonstrating a low transfer of ethanol from mother to offspring through the milk. Finally the model for postnatal exposure to alcohol via mother's milk is discussed in terms of other indirect alcohol-related factors which make it difficult to evaluate the direct impact of ethanol per se in the normal development of the suckling pups.
Sanchis
R
R
Instituto de Investigaciones Citológicas, Valencia, Spain.
Sancho-Tello
M
M
Guerri
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling / Q000254:growth & development; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005526:Food, Formulated; D007774:Lactation / Q000187:drug effects; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000187:drug effects; D009753:Nutritive Value; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000431:Ethanol