Effects of maternal ethanol intake on immunoexpression of epidermal growth factor in developing rat mandibular molar.
OBJECTIVE
A polyclonal antibody was used to investigate the effects of ethanol ingestion before and during pregnancy, in the expression of EGF on dentinogenesis and amelogenesis of rat mandibular first molar.


METHODS
Ethanol was administered to drinking water (treated group) starting at concentrations of 1% and increasing weekly to 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% (v/v). During week 7, these rats were mated and continued to receive the 25% alcoholic solution, up to delivery. The control group received tap water. On postnatal days 0, 4 and 9, two offspring of each litter were killed, their hemimandibles removed and prepared for paraffin processing and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
At postnatal day 0 the EGF immunoreactivity of the inner enamel epithelium and presecretory ameloblasts was weak when compared to controls. At postnatal day 4 EGF immunoreactivity of the secretory ameloblasts and odontoblasts was only moderate compared to controls. At postnatal day 9 EGF staining of the ameloblasts was weak when compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that, maternal alcoholism interferes with EGF expression during initial dentinogenesis and amelogenesis and in the secretion and maturation of the dentin and enamel, therefore, which may cause a reduction of dentin and enamel formation.
Sant'Anna
Luciana B
LB
Department of Morphology, Faculty of Odontology, Campinas University, Avenida Limeira 901, Areiao, 13414-903 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. lucianabsa@uol.com.br
Tosello
Darcy O
DO
Pasetto
Silvana
S
D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001699:Biometry; D003810:Dentinogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008963:Molar / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014083:Tooth Germ / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology
D000431:Ethanol; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor