Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
whereby mouse embryos die above 250mM MeOH, while rat embryos
can survive above 350mM (Figure 7.17).
Comparisons are simpler in a whole embryo culture model where the
xenobiotic concentration and duration of exposure can be controlled,
whereas comparing the potency of MeOH and EtOH in vivo is more
difficult. Prenatal exposure of rodents to both alcohols causes birth
defects, the incidence of which increases with higher doses, with the
anomalies varying depending on the time of exposure as well as the
peak blood alcohol concentration (BAC) achieved (Becker et al., 1996)
(Table 7.8). Human prenatal EtOH exposure results in a characteristic
spectrum of anomalies, collectively termed FASD, which includes
decreased fetal weight, distinct craniofacial malformations, and
FIGURE 7.17 Comparison of outcomes in mouse and rat embryos exposed
to methanol (MeOH) for 24 hours in culture. The rat study is indicated by a
dashed line, and the remaining studies employed mice. For unpublished studies
by Miller and Wells, each group consisted of 11-40 embryos.
