Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on forepaw digit length and digit ratios in rats

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause limb and digit defects. Variations in digit ratios in humans are associated with prenatal testosterone exposure. Since prenatal alcohol can reduce testosterone in rats, the effects of prenatal alcohol were measured on rat digit length. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental psychobiology 2004-12, Vol.45 (4), p.251-258
Main Authors: McMechan, Andrew P., O'Leary-Moore, Shonagh K., Morrison, Scott D., Hannigan, John H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Embryo, Mammalian - drug effects
Ethanol - pharmacology
Extremities - embryology
Female
fetal alcohol syndrome
fingers
gender differences
Leg Length Inequality
Male
Pregnancy
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
retinoic acid
sex
skeleton (phalanges)
testosterone
Testosterone - metabolism
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Summary:Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause limb and digit defects. Variations in digit ratios in humans are associated with prenatal testosterone exposure. Since prenatal alcohol can reduce testosterone in rats, the effects of prenatal alcohol were measured on rat digit length. Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were intubated with 0 g/kg, 4 g/kg, or 6 g/kg of ethanol from Gestational Day 8 (GD8) to GD20. The 0‐g/kg group and a nonintubated group served as controls. At postnatal day 31, forepaw digit lengths were measured and digit ratios calculated. Females had smaller digits on both forepaws and higher digit ratios on the right forepaw than males. Rats exposed to 6 g/kg of ethanol had smaller digits than controls on both forepaws and higher digit ratios than controls on the left forepaw. Rat digit ratios differ between the sexes, and prenatal alcohol exposure affects digit ratios. The results are consistent with a perinatal disruption of testosterone levels by alcohol and/or of testosterone's effects on digit length and ratios. An alternate interpretation is consistent with a retinoic acid‐mediated effect of alcohol on digit length and ratios. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 251–258, 2004.
ISSN:0012-1630
1098-2302
DOI:10.1002/dev.20035