The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the developmental retina of mice

Abstract

Aims: Our aim is to investigate the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on the development of retinal bipolar and horizontal cells. Methods: The alterations of the retinal bipolar and horizontal cells in P7, P14 and P30 mice were observed after PAE, with immunofluorescent labeling and DiI diolistic assay. Results: The retinal development of filial pups was affected by PAE in a dose-dependent and long-term manner. The number of bipolar cells of alcohol groups was significantly lower than that of the control, and the dendritic receptive field of horizontal cells was also significantly smaller than those of the control groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: PAE was able to cause retarded development of pup retinal neural cells. © The Author 2012. Medical Council on Alcohol and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.