关键词: 外源性核苷酸, 乙醇, 全胚胎培养

Abstract: Objective: To explore the intervention effect of exogenous nucleotides on ethanol-induced embryonic abnormality in whole embryo culture and provide a theoretical reference for future studies. Methods: in vitro post-implantation whole embryo culture was used in this study. Pregnant mice with GD 8.5 were killed by cervical dislocation and the uteri were removed into sterile Hank, s solution. The embryos with intact yolk sacs and ectoplacental cones were induced by ethanol, and then subjected to intervention of exogenous nucleotides at the doses of 0.032, 0.80 mg/L and 20.0 mg/L, respectively. The growth and development of mouse embryos and morphological differentiation of tissues and organs after cultivation for 48 h was evaluated using Maele-Fabry scoring system. Results: An obvious intervention effect was achieved through nucleotide supplementation at the dose of 0.80 mg/L, which could result in an increase of crown-rump length, head length, the differentiation of visceral yolk sac vascular vessels. The scores of flexion, heart, tail neural tube, hindbrain, midbrain, forebrain, otic system, forelimb and branchial arch also revealed a significant increase when compared with ethanol group. Although nucleotide supplementation at the doses of 0.032 mg/L and 20.0 mg/L also exhibited protective effects against ethanol-induced developmental toxicity, the protective effect was weaker when compared with the dose of 0.80 mg/L. Conclusion: Nucleotide supplementation at proper dose may be of great benefit for the development of embryos exposed to alcohol in the uterus of mice. Exogenous nucleotides provide an effective strategy for the prevention of ethanol-induced birth defects.

Key words: nucleotides, ethanol, whole embryo culture