Summary The effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on hepatic mitochondrial protein synthesis in miniature swine was investigated. After 3 wk on test, there was no decrease in the rate of amino acid incorporation between livers of control and ethanol consuming pigs. After 6 wk on test, there was a 33% decrease in rate of hepatic mitochondrial membrane protein synthesis in livers of experimental pigs, as compared with controls. When analyzed by SDS-gel electrophoresis, a decrease in labeling of the 40,000 mol wt peak, from both whole membrane protein and proteolipid protein profiles, was observed for livers from ethanol consuming pigs as compared with controls.