Ethanol consumption during pregnancy in mice: effects on hormone concentrations
Fielder, P.J.; Robleto, D.O.; Ogren, L.; Talamantes, F.
American Journal of Physiology 257(4 Pt 1): E561-E566
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 2679130 Document Number: 336776
Hormonal and metabolic responses to ethanol consumption were studied in pregnant Swiss Webster mice and their fetuses. One day 10 of pregnancy, mice were assigned to one of three liquid diet groups: 36% ethanol-derived calories fed ad libitum (ETHOH); control liquid diet fed ad libitum (control); control liquid diet administered in the same amount as that consumed by the ETOH group on the same day of pregnancy [pair-fed controls (PF)]. Dams were killed on days 14-18 of pregnancy, and fetuses were collected on days 16-18. Serum mouse placental lactogen-II (mPL-II), prolactin (mPRL), growth hormone (mGH), insulin, and glucose concentrations were determined for each group. Ethanol consumption resulted in a significant reduction in fetal weight on day 18 of pregnancy. The maternal serum mPRL concentration was reduced in ETOH mice on days 16 and 17 of pregnancy when compared with control mice, but when compared with PF mice it was significantly reduced only on day 16. Maternal and fetal serum insulin concentrations were reduced in ETOH mice when compared with control mice, but it is unclear whether this was a specific effect of ethanol consumption or due to reduce food intake. Maternal serum glucose concentrations were reduced in the ETOH mice but not as severely as in the PF mice. Ethanol consumption had no effect on maternal or fetal serum mPL-II and mGH concentrations. These data confirm that ethanol consumption during pregnancy results in fetal growth retardation, but they do not indicate any major effects of ethanol on mPL-II, mPRL, mGH, and insulin concentrations in either the mother or fetus.