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), Journal Name: Curr. Alcohol.; (United States) Vol. 8; ISSN CUALD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALCOHOLS
AMINO ACIDS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BODY
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DISTRIBUTION
ETHANOL
FETAL MEMBRANES
FETUSES
GLANDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LIVER
MAMMALS
MEMBRANES
METABOLISM
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PLACENTA
PREGNANCY
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RATS
RODENTS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES