Preconceptional alcoholic intoxication alters the distribution of metals in matured rat brain of offspring.

It is known that alcohol possesses embryotoxic, teratogenic, neurotoxic and other effects. Alteration of the trace element and mineral metabolism can be one of the triggering mechanisms of metabolic changes during an alcoholic intoxication. The aim of the recent study was to compare the profiles of elements in brain structures of matured offspring which were born by female rats exposed and non-exposed to alcohol before conception. A decreasing tendency in the levels of all detected macro and trace elements in four brain structures was observed. The most prominent changes were found in the brain cortex. Experimental data show that short term consumption of alcohol by female rats before pregnancy alters the distribution of macro and trace elements in the offspring's brain structures.