Postnatal metabolic changes in the pups of rats exposed to toddy (palm wine) during pregnancy and lactation

Female rats were exposed to toddy (palm wine) (24.5 ml kg−1 body weight day−1) and ethanol (0.52 ml kg−1 body weight day−1) before conception and throughout gestation and lactation. For 21 days pups were nursed by their own mothers, afterwards they were fed normal laboratory feed. Examination of the lipid profile of various tissues of 21 day-old pups revealed marked hyperlipidemia. The tissues of 45 day-old pups showed that even though there was some regression in the lipid accumulation, the status of hyperlipidemia prevailed. The lipogenesis was enhanced on both the days studied as evidenced by the increased activity of the lipogenic enzymes, HMG Co A reductase and incorporation of 14C acetate to lipids. Catabolism of cholesterol to bile acids was decreased. The biochemical alterations produced in the pups by toddy and its equivalent in alcohol were different, showing that the non-alcoholic portion of the toddy interfered with the lipid metabolism.