Effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the rat

The effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were assigned to one of three groups (n=6/group). Group 1 received 10% ethanol (v/v) in drinking water and lab chow ad libitum. After one week, the ethanol content was increased to 20%. Group 2 animals received the amount of chow consumed by Group 1 animals during the previous 24 hours, plus corn starch calorically equivalent to the alcohol consumed, whereas Group 3 animals received chow and water ad libitum. After four weeks on these diets, animals were bred and the concentration of ethanol in drinking water of Group 1 animals was increased to 30%. Animals were sacrificed on day 21 of gestation, and serum was analyzed for total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. Alcohol-fed animals had total cholesterol levels averaging 54.1 mg/dl, significantly lower than levels in both pair-fed (79.4 mg/dl) and ad libitum controls (90.0 mg/dl). HDL cholesterol levels in the alcohol-fed animals were also lower than those in ad libitum controls (27.5 mg/dl vs. 40.0 mg/dl, p<0.05). These observations in pregnant females contrast with the effect of alcohol on HDL cholesterol levels in male animals.