An in vitro model of alcohol and acetaldehyde teratogenicity.

C3H mouse embryos were supported in an in vitro culture system over 28-h periods between 8 and 10 days post-conception. Morphological development over this critical period of organogenesis was monitored in the following respects: somite count; presence or absence of heart beat; central nervous system size and symmetry; neural tube fusion. Total embryo DNA synthesis, determined by 3H-thymidine uptake of the embryo over the last 4 h of the culture period, was compared with morphological findings. The effects of varying concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde, respectively, on morphology and DNA synthesis were determined at the dose levels tested. Both ethanol and acetaldehyde were toxic to the mouse embryos at this stage of their development, and reasonably close correlation was found between morphological abnormalities and reduction in DNA synthesis.