Effect of acetaldehyde on skeletogenesis in rats.

Acetaldehyde (ACH), the metabolite of ethanol was administered to pregnant CF rats intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg) from day 8 through 15 of gestation and fetuses from different mothers were collected from day 16 through 21 of gestation. Fetuses were processed for alizarin skeletal staining. There was significant delay in ossification besides certain skeletal malformations such as wavy ribs. The delay in ossification may be one of the reasons for reduced birth weight and increased postnatal mortality and growth.