Interaction between zinc deprivation and acute ethanol intoxication during pregnancy in rats

A single intraperitoneal injection of ethanol given at gestational day 10 to pregnant rats undergoing transient zinc deprivation increases the probability of complications in the pregnancy, compared to either intoxication in well-fed dams or to zinc deprivation alone. The result suggest that dietary factors may contribute to ethanol-induced terata and that non-abusive or infrequent maternal use of ethanol can be particularly dangerous to the fetus during a dietary deficiency.