Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on iron utilization in the rat

The effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on iron metabolism in rat dams and pups were studied. Sperm-positive nulliparous dams were assigned to groups on the third day of gestation (G3): ET rats were fed a liquid diet containing 9% ethanol (v/v); PC rats were pair-fed a non-ethanol, isocaloric liquid diet; FC rats were fed the same nonethanol diet adlibitum. All animals were individually housed in stainless steel metabolic cages from G3 to G18 and transferred to polypropylene cages to await delivery. Food intake and dam body weight were significantly less in the ET and PC groups compared to the FC control group. Water intake was significantly greater in the ET dams than in controls. Gestation length was significantly increased in the ET rats only. Pup body weight was significantly decreased in the ET rats only compared to controls. Apparent absorption of iron in the ET dams was significantly greater than in the PC and FC dams. The inutero ethanol exposure resulted in a significant increase in liver and femur iron concentrations in the newborn pups when compared to the PC and FC control pups. The marked increase clue to understanding presence of liver pathology that has been reported to occur in children with fetal alcohol syndrome.