Embryopathic effects of ethanol in the chick.

The chick embryo is considered a highly sensitive system for the screening of drugs for possible teratogenicity. The effects of varying concentrations of ethanol on the early development of chick embryos were studied. The mean weight of embryos exposed to ethanol was reduced compared to that of the control groups, but the difference was not significant. However, embryolethality and the incidence of abnormal embryos were significantly increased and related to the dose of ethanol.