Craniofacial alterations in adult rats after acute prenatal alcohol exposure.

BACKGROUND

Exposure during pregnancy to alcohol (ethanol) produces a number of adverse effects. One of them is fetal alcohol syndrome. The hallmark of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is craniofacial dysmorphism and the changes in craniofacial measurement are dependent on the alcoholic dose and its time of exposure. Since prenatal ethanol exposure can alter craniofacial development in rodents and reliably produce long-term behavioral effect in them, the present study was designed to extend the same changes in the Sprague Dawley species.

METHODS

The albino rat was studied to determine whether gestational exposure to alcohol (Ethanol) produces permanent craniofacial effect. On gestational day (GD7-10) 25% ethanol was injected intraperitoneally to pregnant rats. Various dimensions for skull and face of adult male rats were taken.

RESULTS

Both vertical and coronal dimensions were altered in the exposed animals.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that exposure to ethanol on a critical gestational period produces permanent craniofacial defects.