Fetal alcohol syndrome in Sinclair (S-1) miniature swine

Piglets from 12 litters farrowed by 18-mo-old, first litter (L₁) alcohol-consuming dams were evaluated for altered morphology. A second group of piglets, farrowed by six 3-yr-old, second litter (L₂) alcohol-consuming dams, was also evaluated. Litters from 6 non-alcohol-consuming gilts and 6 non-alcohol-consuming sows were used as controls. Mean litter size and birth weight for L₁ and L₂ piglets were significantly less than controls. Fetal mortality rates for L₁ and L₂ piglets were much greater than controls. Anomaly rates observed in fetal deaths were 11% and 100% for L₁ and L₂, respectively; no anomalies were seen in the control group piglets. Anomalies observed in group L₁ included prolapsed rectum, undescended testicle, hypoplastic testicular tissue, and microphthalmia. Anomalies seen in group L₂ included one occurrence of each of the following: anencephaly, microcephaly, cranial bone hypoplasia, microphthalmia, cleft palate, hypoplasia of extremities, hypodactylia, polydactylia, cryptorchism, hypoplastic gonadal tissue, cloacal atresia, and two occurrences of micrognathia, syndactylia, and hypoplasia of tail. Open-field activity behavioral studies show significantly greater activity in the offspring of alcohol-consuming dams. The data from Sinclair (S-1) miniature swine support the data from other species, establishing the relationship between maternal alcohol consumption and fetal anomalies.