METABOLISM OF ETHANOL TO ACETALDEHYDE IN THE RAT OVARY AND ITS INDUCED REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY

M. FAUT; C. RODRÍGUEZ DE CASTRO; E.V. CIGNOLI DE FERREYRA; F. BIETTO; J.A. CASTRO; G.D. CASTRO

Mar del Plata

Congreso; XLIII Reunión Anual de SAIB; 2007

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

It is known that alcohol drinking can lead to reproductive problems in women. In this study we analyze the possibility that part of these effects were mediated through alterations of ovarian function related to ethanol oxidation to acetaldehyde occurring in that tissue. We studied the bioactivation to acetaldehyde in rat ovary and found that biotransformation in the cytosolic fraction is partially inhibited by allopurinol, suggesting the participation of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in the process. The microsomal pathway was also of enzymatic nature, requiring NADPH and sensitive to oxygen. In both cases, metabolic ability to oxidize ethanol was compared with those of post lactation young mother (two weeks after weaning) rats, showing to be more intense in the case of virgin rats. By histochemistry XOR and aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were detected in both ovary and oviduct. No alcohol dehydrogenase was detected. Ultrastructure of ovary from rats treated with standard Lieber & De Carli liquid diet for 28 days revealed alterations at the level of the granulosa, theca interna and pellucida zones. In the oviduct, intense vacuolization and partial loss of cell content were observed. Results suggest that in the rat ovary, metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde might play a role in alcohol effects on reproductive function. Supported by ANPCyT (PICT 25354) and CONICET (PIP 5158).