Effect of ethanol consumption during gestation on maternal-fetal amino acid metabolism in the rat
The distribution of /sup 14/C-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), administered intravenously, in maternal, fetal and placental tissues was examined in the rat on gestation-day 21. Ethanol consumption during gestation (day 6 through 21) significantly reduced the uptake of AIB by the placenta and fetus while exerting no influence on maternal tissue AIB uptake. The concentration of fetal plasma free histidine was decreased 50% as a result of maternal ethanol ingestion, but the free histidine level of maternal plasma was not altered. Since no effect on protein content of fetal tissue could be detected, it is speculated that reduced histidine to the fetus might significantly alter the amounts of histamine and carnosine formed via their precursor. The significance of these findings in relation to the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University, NJ
- OSTI ID:
- 6706033
- Journal Information:
- Curr. Alcohol.; (United States), Vol. 8
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ETHANOL
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
METABOLISM
FETUSES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
AMINO ACIDS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
LIVER
PLACENTA
PREGNANCY
QUANTITY RATIO
RATS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
ALCOHOLS
ANIMALS
BODY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
FETAL MEMBRANES
GLANDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques
550201 - Biochemistry- Tracer Techniques
400102 - Chemical & Spectral Procedures