Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, including details on pregnancy, birth defects, causes, symptoms, treatment. | ||||||||
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Effects of maternal ethanol intake on immunoexpression of epidermal growth factor in developing rat mandibular molar.Sant'Anna LB, Tosello DO, Pasetto S Department of Morphology, Faculty of Odontology, Campinas University, Avenida Limeira 901, Areiao, 13414-903 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. lucianabsa@uol.com.br OBJECTIVE: A polyclonal antibody was used to investigate the effects of ethanol ingestion before and during pregnancy, in the expression of EGF on dentinogenesis and amelogenesis of rat mandibular first molar. DESIGN: Ethanol was administered to drinking water (treated group) starting at concentrations of 1% and increasing weekly to 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% (v/v). During week 7, these rats were mated and continued to receive the 25% alcoholic solution, up to delivery. The control group received tap water. On postnatal days 0, 4 and 9, two offspring of each litter were killed, their hemimandibles removed and prepared for paraffin processing and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: At postnatal day 0 the EGF immunoreactivity of the inner enamel epithelium and presecretory ameloblasts was weak when compared to controls. At postnatal day 4 EGF immunoreactivity of the secretory ameloblasts and odontoblasts was only moderate compared to controls. At postnatal day 9 EGF staining of the ameloblasts was weak when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, maternal alcoholism interferes with EGF expression during initial dentinogenesis and amelogenesis and in the secretion and maturation of the dentin and enamel, therefore, which may cause a reduction of dentin and enamel formation. Published 16 May 2005 in Arch Oral Biol, 50(7): 625-34.
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