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

ObjectiveTo assess the protective potential of α-tocopherol on ethanol-induced dysmorphogenesis in 10.5 embryonic day (ED) mouse embryos.MethodsForty 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.ResultsThe 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 < 0.05). Overall morphological scores of the hindbrain and sensory vesicles were significantly higher in the supplemented and control groups than that of the positive control (P < 0.05). The number of full-term developed embryos was neither affected by ethanol alone nor with supplementation with α-tocopherol. Resorption was significantly lower in the supplemented groups than that of positive control (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe medium and high dosages of α-tocopherol exhibited a protective effect on ethanol-induced dysmorphogenesis.