Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, February 21, 2011

Male and female reproductive toxicity induced by sub-chronic ethanol exposure in CF-1 mice



Since genetic damage induced by ethanol exposure is controversial and incomplete and because germ and somatic cells constitute bioindicators for monitoring reproductive toxicity and genotoxic actions of ethanol consumption, the purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate morphological sperm, oocyte alterations and parental genotoxic effects after sub-chronic ethanol intake in the CF-1 outbred mouse strain
 
Ethanol 10% was administered to CF-1 adult male (treated males, TM) and female (treated females, TF) mice for 27 days, whereas water was given to controls from both sexes too (CM and CF). Post-treatment micronucleus frequency (MN-PCE/1,000/mouse) and gamete morphology were evaluated.
 
To test whether change of female reproductive status results in maternal genotoxicity, CF-1 females received ethanol 10% (exposed group, periconceptionally treated females (PTF)) or water (control group, pregnant control females (PCF)) in drinking water for 17 days previous and up to 10 days of gestation. 
 
TM had a high percentage of abnormal spermatozoa vs CM (p < 0.001) and elevated parthenogenetic activated oocyte frequency appeared in TF vs CF (p < 0.001). Sub-chronic ethanol ingestion induced increased MN frequency in TM and TF (p < 0.01). 
 
In PTF, where blood alcohol concentrations were between 19–28 mg/dl, very significantly increased MN frequency was found vs PCF (p < 0.01), whereas MN values were similar to TF. 
 
These results show that sub-chronic alcohol ingestion in CF-1 mice produces sperm head dysmorphogenesis and oocyte nuclear anomalies, suggesting that morphological abnormalities in germ cells are probably related to parental genotoxicity after ethanol consumption. 
 
 
 
Request Reprint E-Mail:  ecebral@hotmail.com