Effects of ethanol on the developing rat. I. Ethanol metabolism and effects on lactate, pyruvate, and glucose concentrations.

Ethanol, 27.1 mmol/kg, or saline, was administered to rats (n = 120) in classes weighing 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 g. The metabolic rate of ethanol (g/kg X min-1) was more than three times higher in adult animals than in new-born ones. The lactate to pyruvate ratio was unchanged in the lowest weight class, but increased in all the others. Using freeze-clamp technique to determine liver lactate to pyruvate ratio, the ratio was significantly higher in ethanol-treated rats in all weight classes. Ethanol induced a significant hypoglycemia in the lowest weight class but not in any other class. Thus the metabolic responses to ethanol were found to be different during various stages of development in the rat.