Influence of ethanol on liver and plasma lipid levels during chick embryo development.

Ethanol introduced into the air chamber of the egg during the last week of the chick embryonic period did not induce changes in liver or embryo weights. Alcohol dehydrogenase activity increased during the period studied in both ethanol and control groups, however, ethanol significantly inhibited the enzymatic activity. Alcohol administration did not alter plasma or liver cholesterol levels. On the other hand, three days after the beginning of the treatment, ethanol decreases plasma triglyceride levels increasing simultaneously the content of this lipid in the liver. If the ethanol treatment is continued for ten days the opposite occurs. An increase and decrease in liver and plasma triglycerides were observed respectively. These results suggest that ethanol interferes with processes which maintain plasmatic triglyceride levels.