Effect of ethanol vapour exposure on survival of chick embryos.

OBJECTIVE To determine the survival of chick embryos after ethanol vapour exposure by noting the number of dead and alive embryos and comparing with age-matched controls. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Anatomy at the regional centre of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Islamabad, from February 2006 to February 2007. METHODOLOGY Chicken eggs, placed in an incubator, were exposed to ethanol vapours produced through a specially designed vapour chamber. The experimental group was dissected on day 7, day 10 and day 22 or hatching whichever was earlier and compared with age-matched controls. The proportion of ethanol vapours in the incubator was monitored with a breathalyzer. RESULTS No statistical difference was seen in the survival of day 7 alcohol-exposed embryos and their age-matched controls. The survival of day 10-control embryos was significantly higher than alcohol exposed group of same age. The embryos exposed to ethanol vapours from day 1 to day 10 and then followed till hatching or day 22, whichever was earlier, had significantly lower survival than age-matched controls. CONCLUSION In this study, ethanol vapour exposure decreased embryo survival with increasing embryonic age and increased duration of exposure.