EFFECT OF ACETALDEHYDE ON THE NEUROEPITHELIUM OF EARLY MOUSE EMBRYOS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 132  (JAN) , 107-118
Abstract
Female mice were injected i.v. with acetaldehyde on single (7th, 8th or 9th), or on multiple (6th-8th, 7th-9th) days, and examined on the 10th or 12th day of gestation. Exposure to acetaldehyde on multiple days resulted in a high incidence of embryonic resorptions. When females were injected on single days and examined on the 10th day, a high incidence of neural tube defects was encountered in surviving embryos. The neural tube anomalies were located at a number of sites along the neuraxis. When examined by scanning electron microscopy [SEM], the individual neuroepithelial cells in acetaldehyde-treated embryos exhibited a characteristic rounded-up appearance with small surface blebs and spiny processes. These characteristic cell surface features were seen in acetaldehyde-treated embryos at all stages of development examined. When additional females were examined on the 12th day, a much lower incidence of open neural tube defects was observed. When embryos at this stage of development were examined in more detail by SEM, many had numerous subectodermal blebs along the dorsal mid-line, which were not initially apparent on gross inspection. The neuroepithelial morphology was abnormal in embryos with no obvious external anomalies. Results confirm and elaborate previous observations on the teratogenicity of acetaldehyde, stressing the ultrastructural changes that are induced in cells of the neuroepithelium, and the possible relationship between the damage induced by this agent and certain features of the human fetal alcohol syndrome.