Female rats receiving ethanol in the drinking water before and during gestation (ET) were compared to pair-fed animals (PF) and normal controls (C) fed ad libitum. On the 21st day of gestation the maternal body and liver weight, blood glucose, and plasma protein concentrations were lower in ET and PF animals as compared to C. In contrast to C or PF mothers, ET-fed mothers had higher circulating P-hydroxybutyrate and triacylglyceride levels and P-hydroxy-butyrate/acetoacetate ratio. Liver triacylglycerides were increased whereas liver glycogen concentration was reduced in ET-fed animals. Only fetal body and liver weights and blood glucose were lower in both ET and PF than in C. Blood P-hydroxybutyrate was increased and liver glycogen was decreased only in ET fetuses. There were no differences among the groups in fetal circulating P-hydroxy-butyrate/ acetoacetate ratio, plasma proteins, and triacylglycerides or liver triacylglyceride content. Results indicate that certain changes in ET mothers are specifically produced by the ethanol intake rather than undemutritlon. Further, metabolic changes occurring in the fetus are influenced by the ethanol effects in the mother and these actions may be added to those directly produced by the ethanol crossing the placenta.