Foetal Alcohol Syndrome: Growth Rate of Bones in Rats

Abstract

Nwaogu, I.C. 2002. Foetal alcohol syndrome: growth rate of bones in rats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 22: 249–253.

The effect of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the growth rate of humerus and femur were studied in 168 offspring of rats. Experimental foetal alcohol syndrome was produced by giving 10% ethanol (v/v) in water to eight-week old female albino rats for 2 weeks, then 20% ethanol (v/v) for another 3 weeks and, mating them overnight. When confirmed pregnant, the alcohol concentration was increased to 30% until delivery when alcohol consumption was stopped. The birth weights as well as lengths of humerus and femur of the control rats were significantly higher (P<0.01) than those of prenatally alcohol fed rats at 3, 5, 7,9,11 and 14 weeks of age. The relative growth rates of femur were significantly higher (P<0.01) in the experimental than the control group. It is concluded that alcohol consumption by pregnant rats adversely affected, the growth rates of humerus and femur of their offsprings prenatally and at least up to 14 weeks of age.

Key words:

• Alcoholism
• bones
• foetus
• growth rate
• rat