In-vivo and in-vitro effects of ethanol on mouse preimplantation embryos

Abstract

In Exp. 1A, hybrid mice (N = 10) were provided with food and 25% (v/v) ethanol as the only source of liquid for 72 h, beginning at the detection of the copulatory plug (08:00 h, Day 1). Control mice received food and tap water. Food consumption (P less than 0.001) but not total caloric intake (P greater than 0.05) was less for the alcohol-treated mice than the controls. Ethanol-derived calories averaged 35% of caloric intake during the 72 h of treatment. Alcohol-treated animals showed a dramatic weight loss until Day 5 while controls gained weight (P less than 0.05). Ethanol consumption did not influence pregnancy rate, litter size or litter weight. In Exp. 1B, animals were treated as in Exp. 1A, but were killed at various times between 24:00 h, Day 1, and 08:00 h, Day 4. Trunk blood was used to determine haematocrit and serum to determine alcohol concentration. Haematocrit was greater (P less than 0.05) for all alcohol-treated mice than for controls at all time periods sampled except one. Dehydration was therefore probably responsible for the weight loss seen in Exps 1A and 1B. Average blood alcohol concentrations fluctuated with time of day and day of treatment. Average maximum concentration was 91.4 mg ethanol/100 ml serum. In Exp. 2, hybrid mouse 2-cell embryos were cultured in vitro in 0 or 0.1% ethanol (Exp. 2A) and 0 or 1.0% ethanol (Exp. 2B) for 8 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ethanol and Hormesis

“…The findings of Leach et al (1993) were consistent with other studies that noted that in vitro exposure of preimplantation embryos to concentrations of ethanol between 0.1% and 0.8% does not impair blastocyst formation (Wiebold and Becker, 1987;Kalmus and Buckenmaier, 1989). Moreover, Wiebold and Becker (1987) observed increased (80%) developmental progression of murine 2-cell embryos to the blastocyte stage following treatment with 0.1% ethanol when compared with the 70% value of the controls.…”

“…Moreover, Wiebold and Becker (1987) observed increased (80%) developmental progression of murine 2-cell embryos to the blastocyte stage following treatment with 0.1% ethanol when compared with the 70% value of the controls. These authors also reported a significant increase in implantation rates after the transfer of treated embryos to pseudopregnant dams.…”

Blastocyst Cavitation is Accelerated by Ethanol- or Ionophore-Induced Elevation of Intracellular Calcium1

“…Control experiments showed that the developmental stimulation of zygotes was not due to parthenogenetic activation of unfertilized oocytes. Other studies have revealed that in vitro exposure of preimplantation embryos to concentrations of ethanol between 0.1% and 0.8% does not impair blastocyst formation [12,13]. Indeed, Wiebold and Becker [12] reported increased developmental progression of murine 2-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage after treatment with 0.1% ethanol (86%) as compared to controls (70%).…”

“…Other studies have revealed that in vitro exposure of preimplantation embryos to concentrations of ethanol between 0.1% and 0.8% does not impair blastocyst formation [12,13]. Indeed, Wiebold and Becker [12] reported increased developmental progression of murine 2-cell embryos to the blastocyst stage after treatment with 0.1% ethanol (86%) as compared to controls (70%). They also revealed a significant increase in implantation rates following the transfer of treated embryos to pseudopregnant dams.…”

Can Ethanol Enhance the Cleavage and Development of Blocked Two-cell Embryos?

“…Fewer embryos developed to these stages when cultured in 1.0% ethanol. Embryos cultured in 1.0% alcohol before transferring had lower implantation rates and lower fetal survival [49]. It is shown that chronic 10% ethanol intake by young female mice reduces the ovulatory response and impairs the quality of the oocytes.…”