Early fetal growth and development in mice chronically exposed to ethanol during gestation.

The effect of maternal alcohol consumption on fetal growth and development during mid-gestation was investigated in Swiss white mice. As early as day 12 of gestation alcohol-exposed fetuses are retarded in both weight and length and remain retarded by about 0.5 to 1 day through day 16, when the experiment was terminated. From day 12 to day 16 alcohol-exposed fetuses were retarded in morphological development by about one half day, compared to controls not exposed to alcohol. Palate development began later in alcohol-exposed fetuses and was not complete in most fetuses until about 15 days 18 hours, whereas fusion was complete in most control fetuses by 15 days 0 hours. No evidence for an effect of uterine position on palate development was observed, either in control or alcohol-exposed fetuses. The manner in which alcohol consumption may affect fetal growth and development is discussed in light of these results.