Glucose tolerance and insulin response in offspring of ethanol-treated pregnant rats

The effects of maternal alcohol ingestion on oral glucose tolerance and insulin response were studied just after birth and in 3-day old offspring of rats given ethanol for drinking (25% w/v) during pregnancy. Offspring litter size, litter survival and body weight were reduced as a consequence of maternal alcohol treatment. Basal plasma insulin levels were augmented in pups from alcoholized mothers just after birth, despite the fact that blood glucose did not change. Maternal alcohol consumption caused glucose intolerance associated with unchanged insulin response in pups just after birth whereas 3-day old pups from alcoholized mothers showed normal glucose tolerance associated with increased insulin response. Data indicate that chronic maternal ethanol treatment may cause impaired insulin sensitivity in the offspring.