MORPHOLOGIC CHANGES IN OFFSPRING OF FEMALE MICE EXPOSED TO ETHANOL BEFORE CONCEPTION

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the mutagenic effects of precon ceptional ethanol exposure by use of the mouse model. STUDY DESIGN: Fi fty-three adult female CF-1 mice were divided into one of five groups with or without an ethanol diet for 28 days. Mice were then superovula ted and mated. On day 14 of gestation all mice were killed and fetuses removed and examined for abnormalities. RESULTS: The mutation index f or the study and mutagen groups was similar (48% vs 41%). The percenta ge of any anatomic abnormality in any treatment group were between 50% and 100%. Anomalies of the abdominal wall were most commonly seen in the mutagenic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic ethanol exposure in the fem ale mouse before conception yields anatomic abnormalities in the offsp ring. These mutagenic effects may be variable in that they may result in a dominant lethal mutation or a delayed interference with organogen esis. Ethanol consumption, whether before or after conception, poses a n unfavorable outcome in the offspring produced.