Acute effects of ethanol on fetal body composition and electrolyte content in the rat

A single dose (oral) of 6 g/kg of ethanol administered to pregnant rats on Day 20 produced a change in fetal body composition. Twenty-four hours after the ethanol administration, fetuses had higher water, higher Mg, and lower lipid-free solid content compared with controls. The levels of Na, K, Ca, and Zn and the lipid and ash content in the alcohol-treated fetuses were not significantly different from controls. Differences in Na, K, Ca, Mg, or Zn concentration in maternal plasma or in placenta composition between groups were also not significant.