[Effect of ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde on the chromosomal apparatus of rat and human cells].

A higher level of cells with a changed number of chromosomes in leucocyte blood culture of chronic alcohol users (drunkards) and spermatogency cells of alcoholized rats has been noticed. Ethanol metabolite acetaldehyde exerts the same influence in the leucocyte blood culture of healthy donors. A prolonged influence of ethanol on rats, and also the effect of large doses of ethanol on the leucocyte blood culture of healthy donors cause an increase in the quantity of cells with chromosome translocations and gaps.