Effects of multiple-dose maternal ethanol infusion on fetal cardiovascular and brain activity in lambs.
Ethanol (2 gm/kg of maternal body weight administered in four equal doses of 0.5 gm/kg over 5 hours) was infused intravenously into nine chronically prepared pregnant ewes between 124 and 137 days' gestation. The data demonstrated a dose-response relationship between fetal arterial ethanol concentrations and the incidence of fetal breathing movements. Suppression of normal fetal electrocortical activity occurred at a low ethanol concentration and returned to control values at a time of very high arterial ethanol concentrations. This experimental model of a binge drinking episode further supports the hypothesis that ethanol suppresses fetal breathing movements by a direct central mechanism rather than indirectly by alteration of electrocortical activity.
Patrick
J
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Carmichael
L
L
Richardson
B
B
Smith
G
G
Homan
J
J
Brien
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy; D012756:Sheep
D000431:Ethanol