EFFECT OF MATERNAL ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY ON THE PHOSPHOLIPID MOLECULAR-SPECIES COMPOSITION OF FETAL GUINEA-PIG BRAIN, LIVER AND PLASMA

The effect of maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy upon accum ulation of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n - 3)) into developing brain ph ospholipids was determined in a guinea-pig model of fetal alcohol synd rome. Feeding adult guinea-pigs 6 g/kg per day ethanol both before and throughout pregnancy was associated with decreased 22:6(n - 3) concen tration in both fetal brain phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidyle thanolamine (PE) at 40/68 days gestation and at term. Since adequate a ssimilation of 22:6(n - 3) into fetal brain is critical for optimal ne uronal development, reduced accumulation of 22:6(n - 3) into phospholi pids may be one important mechanism for ethanol-induced brain damage, Liver from ethanol-exposed fetuses contained significantly lower conce ntrations of both PC and PE 22:6(n - 3)containing molecular species. H owever, there was no difference in plasma PC polyunsaturated fatty aci d content in ethanol-exposed fetuses compared with controls. One possi ble explanation for impaired 22:6(n - 3) accumulation into ethanol-exp osed fetal brain phospholipids may be the result of the action of inap propriate mechanisms which counteract ethanol-induced increased membra ne fluidity by reducing the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of brai n phospholipids.