The effects of acetaldehyde and 2,3-butanediol on rat embryos developing in vitro

The embryotoxicity of two ethanol metabolites, acetaldehyde and 2,3-butanediol, have been examined in cultured 10-day Albino Wistar rat embryos over a 2-day period. At acetaldehyde concentrations of 100 and 260 microM, no significant effects were observed on embryonic protein, DNA, somite development, gross morphology, or viability. 800 microM was overtly toxic causing rapid death and necrosis. 2,3-butanediol at a culture medium concentration of 25 mM had no effect on any of the above parameters. The significance of these results in relation to other animal experiments with these compounds and possible ramifications regarding the aetiology of the human Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are discussed.