Effect of low doses of ethanol on fetus and fetal milieu in rat

Abstract

Very low doses of ethanol (75, 200 or 300 mg/kg) were administered (ip) to pregnant CF rats daily throughout the period of organogenesis (day 8 to 15 of gestation)(sperm positive day = day 1). Fetuses collected at term showed gross malformation like microcephaly, micrognathia, micromelia, hemorrhage and digital anomalies which are in keeping with the malformations associated with fetal alcohol syndrome assessed clinically. Intrauterine growth retardation was evident from the significant reduction in body weight, crown rump length, tail length and transumbilical distance and impaired skeletogenesis as revealed by alizarin red preparations. The placental weight and umbilical cord length were reduced, and the amniotic fluid weight increased. It is suggested that even at these low doses, alcohol is terotogenic, probably due to ready conversion of alcohol into acetaldehyde, following intraperitoneal administration.