The effect of ethanol consumption on trace elements in the fetal rat.

It is postulated that in the fetus trace element alternations secondary to maternal alcohol ingestion contribute to fetal alcohol syndrome. Female Charles River CD rats were given a semi-synthetic diet through two pregnancies. Half of the animals received 6% ethanol (v/v) in their drinking water. The animals were divided into the following groups: Control group received the diet ad lib, alcohol group received the diet and alcohol ad lib, pair fed group received a diet isocaloric with the alcohol group, and the alcohol + ZnMg group received the basal diet with added magnesium, zinc and alcohol. On the twenty-first day of gestation animals were sacrificed and iron, copper, zinc and magnesium measured in maternal and fetal tissues by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results indicated significantly reduced fetal zinc in the alcohol group while copper and iron levels were increased. In maternal tissues, only the femur was affected. Zinc and magnesium were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) while iron was increased (p < 0.01). The observed effects were not due to reduced food intake. The expected changes in tissue zinc and magnesium were prevented by diets fortified with these minerals. These results are consistant with our hypothesis that alcohol interferes with trace element metabolism during pregnancy and that diet can be manipulated to alter its effects.