Effects of chronic ethanol treatment on glucose tolerance, insulin response and circulating metabolites in the pregnant rat.

The effects of chronic ethanol treatment on intravenous glucose tolerance and insulin response in non-pregnant and pregnant rats were studied. Basal circulating glucose, insulin, and ketone bodies levels were also determined during the treatment. Basal blood glucose concentration did not change during the ethanol treatment whereas plasma insulin levels were lower at the beginning of gestation and at the 15 and 18 days of pregnancy in ethanol-treated rats. Blood beta-OH-butyrate levels were higher and acetoacetate concentrations unchanged during the ethanol treatment, resulting in augmented beta-OH-butyrate/acetoacetate ratio. Intravenous glucose tolerance was not modified in ethanol-treated rats whilst the associated insulin response was lower in both non-pregnant and pregnant ethanol-treated rats. Data show that ethanol treatment during pregnancy alters glucose-insulin relationships despite being associated with unchanged maternal glycemia.