Sex-related differences in effect of ethanol administration and folic acid supplementation on pancreatic amylase in rats.

The present study was designed to determine whether folic acid supplement is sufficient to reverse the negative effects of ethanol consumption on amylase activity during gestation, lactation, and growth. Moreover, this study investigated the sex-related differences in amylase content in the pancreatic tissue, serum, and urine. The animals were randomized into three groups: Control group (CG) received water and a basic rat diet during pregnancy, lactation, and growth; Ethanol-rats (EG) were fed an ethanol diet during pregnancy, the suckling period, and growth until death; and Ethanol + folic acid group (E + FG) were handled the same way as those of EG, except they received a folic acid supplement from reproduction until the end of experimental period.