Protective potential of α-tocopherol supplementation against ethanol-induced dysmorphogenesis in postimplantation murine embryos

Abstract

Abstract Objective To assess the protective potential of α-tocopherol on ethanol-induced dysmorphogenesis in 10.5 embryonic day (ED) mouse embryos. Methods Forty female mice were randomly assigned into control (CON), positive control (ETOH), low-, medium and high-α-tocopherol-supplemented-Ethanol groups (LTOC, MTOC, HTOC, respectively). CON received drinking water without ethanol, ETOH, LTOC, MTOC and HTOC groups received 20% ethanol in drinking water. The supplemented groups were given respective dosages of α-tocopherol, 0.410, 0.819 and 1.640 mg/g body weight, at 14 days before mating until the 9th day of gestation. The 10.5 ED embryos were assessed for embryo weight, head- and crown-rump length, and morphological scoring of brain and sensory vesicles, flexion and somites. The embryo yield was assessed by counting the number of full-term developed embryos from the bulging implantation sites while resorption was assessed by counting the bulging implantation sites but without formed embryos. Results The weight and head- and crown-rump length of the embryos from the α-tocopherol supplemented groups were comparable to the control. These were significantly higher than that of positive control ( P P P Conclusion The medium and high dosages of α-tocopherol exhibited a protective effect on ethanol-induced dysmorphogenesis.