Effects of maternal ethanol ingestion on amine uptake into synaptosomes of fetal and neonatal rat brain.

Pregnant rats were kept on an ethanol-containing (6.8% v/v) liquid diet either from the 13th or 18th day of gestation. In pups exposed to ethanol from the 13th day of gestation, synaptosomal uptake of 3H-tyramine and its conversion to 3H-octopamine were increased initially and exposure to ethanol from the 18th day of gestation produced increases in synaptosomal uptake and conversion for longer periods. These changes were not observed in adult rats administered ethanol. Brain tyrosin hydroxylase activity in the developing rats was unaltered by continuous exposure to ethanol. Withdrawal from ethanol either at 0, 3 or 5 days of age enhanced the tendancy toward increased synaptosomal uptake and conversion, but the magnitude of change depended upon the time of exposure and the age at which withdrawal was initiated. These results suggest that maternal ethanol ingestion can affect synaptic function in the developing central noradrenergic system, with consequent alterations in neurotransmitter uptake and storage.