Early fetal growth and development in mice chronically exposed to ethanol during gestation.
The effect of maternal alcohol consumption on fetal growth and development during mid-gestation was investigated in Swiss white mice. As early as day 12 of gestation alcohol-exposed fetuses are retarded in both weight and length and remain retarded by about 0.5 to 1 day through day 16, when the experiment was terminated. From day 12 to day 16 alcohol-exposed fetuses were retarded in morphological development by about one half day, compared to controls not exposed to alcohol. Palate development began later in alcohol-exposed fetuses and was not complete in most fetuses until about 15 days 18 hours, whereas fusion was complete in most control fetuses by 15 days 0 hours. No evidence for an effect of uterine position on palate development was observed, either in control or alcohol-exposed fetuses. The manner in which alcohol consumption may affect fetal growth and development is discussed in light of these results.
D000818:Animals; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice; D010159:Palate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy
D000431:Ethanol