The effect of ethanol on the production of lactate, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids in the perfused human placenta

Eighteen fresh term placentas from normal deliveries were perfused to determine the biochemical response of the human placenta in the absence and presence of ethanol. The production rates were generally increased by ethanol administration; lactate, 22%; triglycerides, 49%; sphingomyelin, 362%; lecithin, 67%; lipid phosphorus, 780%; free fatty acids, 897%. Only the changes in lipid phosphorus and free fatty acids were significantly different (p < 0.05). Glucose utilization rates were 600 and 551 mg per hour per placenta for eight control and 10 ethanol runs, respectively. The ethanol utilization rate was 442 mg per hour per placenta. Little difference in ultrastructural appearance between control and ethanol groups was observed at the level of ethanol administered. The general behavior of ethanol metabolism in human placenta seems qualitatively similar to that in the liver.