Hepatic and plasma phospholipid molecular species compositions in the pregnant guinea pig: Effect of chronic ethanol consumption

The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on maternal hepatic and plasma phospholipid molecular species compositions was investigated by Seeding adult guinea pigs ethanol both before and throughout pregnancy. Hepatic phosphatidylcholine (PC)16:0/18:2, PC16:0/16:0, PC16:0/18:1, PC16:0/18:2, and PC16:0/16:0 concentrations were significantly lower in ethanol-fed pregnant animals at 40 days, but not at term (68 days). There was no change to hepatic PC species containing 22:6(n-3) or 20:4(n-6) concentration at either gestational age. Ethanol feeding did not significantly alter maternal hepatic phosphatidylethanolamine composition. Plasma total PC concentration at day 40 tvas significantly lower in ethanol-fed than control animals, due to a general decrease in all PC species except PC16:0/22:6. However, at term, plasma PC concentration was greater in ethanol-fed animals compared with controls. Pregnancy in the guinea pig is associated with increased hepatic and plasma PC16:0/22:6 content, which is related temporally in 22:6(n-3) accumulation into developing fetal brain phosphatidylethanolamine. In this context, these results suggest that impaired supply of 22:6(n-3) to fetus in the guinea pig is probably not a major mechanism for reduced accumulation of 22:6(n-3) into ethanol-exposed fetal guinea pig brain.