The effects of ethanol consumption on the morphology of the seminiferous epithelium, with particular emphasis on Sertoli cell ultrastructure, were examined during and following pubertal development. Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained on chronically high levels of ethanol for 7 weeks beginning at 29 days of age. Animals in Group 1 were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol (36% ethanol-derived calories) ad libitum. Group 2 animals were paired with animals in Group 1 and fed a liquid control diet in the amount consumed by their ethanol partners (g/kg body wt/day). Animals in Group 3 were fed Purina rodent chow ad libitum. Blood samples were collected at 60 days for determination of plasma testosterone levels. On day 79, each epididymis, the adrenals and the right testis were removed from anesthetized animals and weighed; the left testis was removed and processed for light and electron microscopy. Blood alcohol levels were consistently high throughout the feeding period, averaging 272.6 +/- 9.7 mg/100 ml at 1900 hours (1 hour after lights off) and 178.8 +/- 20.8 mg/100 ml at 1330 hours. Testosterone levels were lower in ethanol-consuming animals than in pair-fed or control subjects. Testis weight was also somewhat reduced in ethanol-consuming animals; however, when adjusted for body weight, relative testis weights were found to be increased in ethanol and pair-fed animals. Epididymal weights were reduced in both ethanol and pair-fed animals. Relative adrenal weights were increased by ethanol. The most dramatic effect of ethanol consumption was on the morphology of the seminiferous tubules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of social housing condition and behavior on growth of the Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma.

We have demonstrated marked effects of social housing condition on the growth rate of the androgen-responsive Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma. The present study investigated the possible role of psychosocial variables in modulating the differential tumor growth rates observed. Male DD/S mice were reared individually housed (I) or in groups (G) of three or five siblings or nonsiblings. Following tumor cell injection, mice either remained in their rearing conditions (II, GG) or were rehoused (IG, GI). Effects of group size, sibling relationship, dominance status, change vs. no change in housing condition, and direction of change (individual to group or group to individual) were examined. Home cage behaviors were monitored both prior to and following tumor cell injection and rehousing. Overall, mice in the GI conditions showed faster tumor growth rates than mice in the IG conditions. Mice in the II and GG conditions showed intermediate tumor growth rates. Differences in group size and sibling relationship prior to and following tumor cell injection and rehousing had no significant influence on tumor growth rates. However, both change in housing condition and direction of change following tumor cell injection/rehousing were significant variables in modulating differential tumor growth rates. Dominance status differentially influenced tumor growth depending on whether mice experienced a change in housing; in the IG conditions, dominant mice showed faster tumor growth whereas in the GG conditions, dominant mice showed slower tumor growth than subordinate mice. Increased fighting among mice in IG compared to mice in GG conditions may play a role in modulating differential tumor growth rates.

Aggression↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Organ growth and cellular development in ethanol-exposed rats.

Effects of perinatal exposure to ethanol on growth and cellular development were investigated. Alcohol was administered in liquid diets designed to provide optimal nutrition during pregnancy. Pair-fed and ad lib control groups were included. The 3 groups of females were similar in body weight during gestation and lactation, and offspring weights were similar on gestation Day 21 and at birth. By Day 9 of lactation control pups weighted more than both alcohol and pair-fed pups which were similar in body weight. Weights of brain, heart, liver and kidney were reduced in alcohol pups compared to pair-feds and controls. Decreased liver weight reflected both decreased cell size and decreased protein content, but was primarily due to decreased caloric intake. Decreased heart weight appeared to result from a direct effect of ethanol on heart protein content. Even more marked were the adverse effects of ethanol on kidney protein content and kidney DNA (reflecting a decrease in cell number). In contrast, although both absolute brain weight and DNA content were decreased in ethanol-exposed offspring, relative brain weight was increased. Finally, maternal ethanol consumption significantly increased relative placenta weights as well as placental DNA and protein content.

Animals↗