[Studies on the mechanisms of developmental toxicity of alcohol].
OBJECTIVE
To study the mechanisms of developmental toxicity in animals induced by ethyl alcohol.


METHODS
Rat embryos of 9.5 days of gestation were exposed to different doses of ethyl alcohol in vitro. Postimplantation whole embryo culture and fluorescence polarization technique were used to investigate the effects of alcohol on embryo development and visceral yolk sac (VYS) membrane lipid fluidity.


RESULTS
400 mg alcoho/L caused no significant differences to embryo development, organ morphological scores, polarization (Pr value) and lipid fluidity unit (LFU), as compared with the non-alcohol treated controls. 1,000 mg alcohol/L led to the decrease of scores of brain, VYS circle, neurotube, head length and heart, as well as DNA and Pr value; whereas LFU values were increased significantly. Above 2,000 mg alcohol/L, all indexes were decreased except LFU of VYS cell membrane. Alcohol significantly elevated lipid fluidity of VYS cell membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol causes development toxicity and teratogenisis in rats. Brain and VYS are the targets of alcohol effect. Its development toxicity is related with lipid fluidity and the VYS membrane damage.
Qu
W
W
Department of Environment Health, School of Public Health, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China.
Wu
D
D
Deng
Y
Y
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000818:Animals; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000431:Ethanol