Implication of the placenta in acetaldehyde-induced intrauterine growth retardation

Acetaldehyde (AcH) the proximal metabolite of ethanol was administered to pregnant CF rats intraperitoneally in single and triple doses (50, 75 and 100 mg/kg) on days 10, 11 and 12 of gestation and fetuses along with placentae were collected on day 21. Placentae were subjected to histological sectioning and the volume fractions of various zones of placenta were calculated using Weibels point counting techniques. There was no correlation between fetal weight and placental weight, but the fetal weight showed a positive correlationship with the percentage volume fraction of the labyrinthine zone suggesting that the reduction in the labyrinthine zone volume is probably responsible for intrauterine growth retardation following acetaldehyde maternal treatment.