Brain glucose content in fetuses of ethanol-fed rats
The authors have previously demonstrated impaired placental glucose transfer and fetal hypoglycemia in association with ethanol ingestion by pregnant rats. The present study examines the relationship between glucose availability and fetal brain growth under the same conditions. Rats (EF) were fed ethanol (30% of caloric intake) in liquid diet throughout gestation. Controls received isocaloric diet without ethanol by pair-feeding (PF) or ad libitum (AF). On the 22nd day of gestation fetuses were obtained by cesarean section. Fetal brains were removed and freeze-clamped. Brain weight was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) by maternal ethanol ingestion (206 +/- 2, 212 +/- 4 and 194 +/- 2 mg in AF, FP and EF fetuses respectively). Similarly, fetal brain glucose content was lower (p < 0.05) in the EF group (14.3 +/- 0.9 mmoles/g dry weight) than in the PF (18.6 +/- 1.0) or the AF (16.2 +/- 0.9) groups. The protein: DNA ratio, an indicator of cell size, correlated positively (r = 0.371, p < 0.005) with brain glucose content. In conclusion, maternal ethanol ingestion resulted in lower brain weight and reduced brain glucose content. Glucose availability may be a significant factor in the determination of cell size in the fetal rat brain.
- Research Organization:
- VA Medical Center, North Chicago, IL
- OSTI ID:
- 5456619
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8604222-
- Journal Information:
- Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Vol. 45:3; Conference: 70. annual meeting of the Federation of American Society for Experimental Biology, St. Louis, MO, USA, 13 Apr 1986
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ETHANOL
TOXICITY
GLUCOSE
BIOLOGICAL AVAILABILITY
BRAIN
DIET
PREGNANCY
PRENATAL EXPOSURE
RATS
WEIGHT
ALCOHOLS
ALDEHYDES
ANIMALS
BODY
CARBOHYDRATES
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
HEXOSES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MONOSACCHARIDES
NERVOUS SYSTEM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RODENTS
SACCHARIDES
VERTEBRATES
560305* - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)