The effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on umbilical cord length in fetal rats.
Umbilical cord length is reported to be a good indicator of fetal movement. This study was designed to examine the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on umbilical cord length in fetal rats. Exposure to alcohol during prenatal development was associated with shortened umbilical cord length, relative to controls. This finding was not a function of body weight differences alone and provides evidence that fetal movements may be decreased as a consequence of maternal alcohol consumption. The possible role of suppressed fetal movements in some of alcohol's teratogenic actions is also discussed.