Abstract
The teratogenic effects of ethanol include the assaults of the various developmental processes of tissues exposed in utero, and particularly the mineralisation of bones. An experimental investigation of the mechanisms of action of this toxic agent was conducted in the femoral bones of the foetal Wistar rat by the histochemical assessment of the activity of alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme present within the osteoblasts and actively involved in the mineral deposition in bones during development. Enzyme was relatively sparse and less intense activity in the growing end of ethanol treated bone compared to the control. This appears to be a possible indication of the mechanism by which ethanol suppresses osteoblasts functions, hence, the ability to potentiate its toxic and teratogenic effects. KEY WORDS: Ethanol; alkaline phosphatase; Wistar rat fetuses; Bone mineralization. J.Expt. & Clin. Anat. 2(1) 2003: 38-40
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