Effects of maternal ethanol intake on immunoexpression of epidermal growth factor in developing rat mandibular molar

• Published in: Archives of oral biology Vol. 50; no. 7; pp. 625 - 634
• Main Authors: Sant’Anna, Luciana B., Tosello, Darcy O., Pasetto, Silvana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Amelogenesis; Amelogenesis - drug effects; Animals; Biometry; Dentinogenesis; Dentinogenesis - drug effects; Epidermal growth factor; Epidermal Growth Factor - drug effects; Epidermal Growth Factor - metabolism; Ethanol - pharmacology; Ethanol immunohistochemistry; Female; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - metabolism; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - physiopathology; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Molar; Molar - drug effects; Molar - embryology; Molar - metabolism; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tooth Germ - drug effects; Tooth Germ - embryology; Tooth Germ - pathology; PBS; BSA; Amelogenesis; Epidermal growth factor; EGF; Dentinogenesis; FAS; Molar; EDTA; Ethanol immunohistochemistry
• ISSN: 0003-9969; 1879-1506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2004.12.010

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. 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. 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. 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.