IADR Abstract Archives
Avian Model to Study the Teratogenic Effects of Alcohol
Objectives: Craniofacial development involves synchronized and sequential processes that allow the proper formation of head tissues. Alcohol (EtOH) can alter this sequence, causing facial dysmorphologies that are characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). These craniofacial defects have been widely studied in the avian model between Hamilton and Hamburger (HH) developmental stages 1 to10 showing the most severe effects. However, these may vary depending on the time of exposure to EtOH. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the teratogenic effects of alcohol in two developmental stages, after gastrulation, on the craniofacial tissues of chick embryos.
Methods: With prior approval from the ethics committee for animal experimentation of the University of Antioquia, 60 fertilized eggs were incubated, divided into 2 control groups and 1 experimental group. 250uL of 10% ultrapure alcohol was injected into the center of the yolk at HH10 and HH20. The heads were collected on Embryonic days (E) E5, E7 and E12 for diaphanization. A ZEISS stereomicroscope and the Zen 2011 software were used for the photographic records.
Results: Embryos injected with EtOH at HH10 had a high mortality rate compared to those injected with EtOH at HH20 and the control groups. Furthermore, they had a more notable effect on morphology, with a smaller forebrain, narrower mid-facial segment, flat and elongated nasal bridge, and less angiogenesis in E5 and E7.
Conclusions: The avian model is a useful tool to observe and understand the effects of EtOH exposure observed in humans in dental practice. Although the severity of the phenotype depends on the time of alcohol exposure, further studies should be performed for a better quantitative analysis of the observed effects and to evaluate the effects in the craniofacial bones.
Methods: With prior approval from the ethics committee for animal experimentation of the University of Antioquia, 60 fertilized eggs were incubated, divided into 2 control groups and 1 experimental group. 250uL of 10% ultrapure alcohol was injected into the center of the yolk at HH10 and HH20. The heads were collected on Embryonic days (E) E5, E7 and E12 for diaphanization. A ZEISS stereomicroscope and the Zen 2011 software were used for the photographic records.
Results: Embryos injected with EtOH at HH10 had a high mortality rate compared to those injected with EtOH at HH20 and the control groups. Furthermore, they had a more notable effect on morphology, with a smaller forebrain, narrower mid-facial segment, flat and elongated nasal bridge, and less angiogenesis in E5 and E7.
Conclusions: The avian model is a useful tool to observe and understand the effects of EtOH exposure observed in humans in dental practice. Although the severity of the phenotype depends on the time of alcohol exposure, further studies should be performed for a better quantitative analysis of the observed effects and to evaluate the effects in the craniofacial bones.