Acute ethanol exposure in pregnancy alters the insulin-like growth factor axis of fetal and maternal sheep
Date
2007
Authors
Gatford, K.
Dalitz, P.
Cock, M.
Harding, P.
Owens, J.
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Journal article
Citation
American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2007; 292(2):494-500
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Kathryn L. Gatford, Penelope A. Dalitz, Megan L. Cock, Richard Harding, and Julie A. Owens
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Abstract
Maternal ethanol intake during pregnancy impairs fetal growth but mechanisms are not clearly defined. Reduced insulin-like growth factor (IGF) abundance or bioavailability in the fetus and/or mother may contribute to this growth-restriction. We hypothesised that an episode of acute ethanol exposure, mimicking "binge drinking", would restrict fetal growth and perturb the maternal and fetal IGF axes. Pregnant sheep were infused i.v. with saline or ethanol (1 g/kg maternal weight) over 1 hour, on days 116, 117 and 118 of gestation (start of 1st infusion = time 0, term is 147 days). Maternal and fetal plasma IGF and IGF-binding protein concentrations (IGFBP) were measured before and after each infusion. Compared to controls, ethanol exposure reduced fetal weight at d120 by 19%, transiently reduced maternal plasma IGF-I (-35%) at 30 h, and decreased fetal plasma IGF-II (-28%) from 24 to 54 h after the first infusion. Ethanol exposure did not alter maternal or fetal plasma concentrations of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3, measured by Western ligand blotting. We conclude that suppression of maternal and fetal IGF abundance may contribute to fetal growth-restriction induced by acute or "binge" ethanol exposure.
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© 2006 by the American Physiological Society.