Alcohol-induced inhibition of fetal 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D and alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid accumulation in the pregnant rat.
Since placental nutrient transport plays a vital role in the development of the fetus, we have evaluated the effect of alcohol ingestion during pregnancy on placental and fetal accumulation of 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D and alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid. Pregnant rats were allowed to ingest rat chow ad libitum and were given 20% ethanol in their drinking water from days 6-19 of pregnancy. Ethanol constituted 51% of the caloric intake and resulted in circulating levels of 97 +/- 27 mg/dl. Control rats were pair fed with rat chow, and dextrimaltose was isocalorically substituted for ethanol in the drinking water. Despite pair feeding, alcohol ingestion resulted in decreased maternal and fetal weight gain but increased placental weight gain. Alcohol decreased the fetal accumulation of 25-[3H]hydroxyvitamin D. The transfer ratio of disintegrations per min/g fetal weight to disintegrations per min/g placental weight was lower in the alcohol-exposed animals, whereas the transfer ratio of disintegrations per min/g placental weight to disintegrations per min/ml serum was not altered. Fetal levels of alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid were also decreased. The transfer ratio of disintegrations per min/g fetal weight to disintegrations per min/g placental weight was greater in the alcohol-exposed animals, whereas the transfer ratio of disintegrations per min/g placental weight to disintegrations per min/ml serum was not altered. The data indicate that maternal alcohol ingestion during pregnancy may affect fetal nutrient accumulation by alterations in both maternal metabolism and direct effects on placental function.
D000621:Aminoisobutyric Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000621:Aminoisobutyric Acids; D000431:Ethanol; D002112:Calcifediol