[The embryotoxic effects of monohydric alcohols].

We have compared the embryotoxic effect of aliphatic alcohols on antenatal embryogenesis of rats and the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (EC.1.1.1.1) in embryonic hepatocytes. The embryotoxic activity of the used alcohols in equitoxic doses (assessed as the lethal effect) showed some dependence on their chemical structure. Earlier it has been demonstrated that there is a similar dependence for the mutagenic effects of the alcohols at the chromosomal level. All tested compounds, with the exception of decanol, distinctly retarded the development, but did not exert any teratogenic action. The administration of aliphatic alcohols also led to a significant decrease in the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase in fetal hepatocytes.