Studies on the Lethal and Teratogenic Effects of Acetaldehyde in the Rat

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Acetaldehyde (AcH) was administered intraperitoneally (50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg) to CF rats from day 8 to 15 of gestation (sperm positive day = day 1) and the fetuses were collected on day 21 of gestation. Besides dose dependent embryolethality, the fetuses were significantly stunted as evidenced by somatometric measurements and skeletal preparations. The malformations observed included microcephaly, micrognathia, micromelia, digital anomalies, edema, hemorrhages in the face, paws and brain and hydronephrosis. Mean placental weight and umbilical cord length were also significantly reduced. Amniotic fluid weight showed consistent increase. It is suggested that ACH affects both the fetus and fetal milieu in this species.