EFFECT OF COCONUT PALM WINE (TODDY) ON CARBOHYDRATE-METABOLISM IN PREGNANT RATS AND FETUSES

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an alcohol ic beverage (Teddy) and the equivalent quantity of ethanol on carbohyd rate metabolism in utero. Female rats were exposed to Teddy from cocon ut palm (24.5 ml/kg body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weig ht/day) for 15 days before conception and throughout gestation. On the 19th day of gestation, hypoglycemia was seen in both the treated grou ps, but it was more in the Teddy-treated group. Synthesis of glycogen was elevated on exposure to ethanol/Toddy but its degradation was enha nced only in alcohol-exposed rats. Key enzymes of citric acid cycle an d gluconeogenesis were inhibited on administration of both alcohol and Teddy. Activity of glycolytic enzymes were increased. Teddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol, indicating the additive e ffects of congeners.