Ethanol is often administered to rodents via a subcutaneous (s.c.) (40, 110, 111) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (112–114) either acutely or across multiple days during gestation (Figure 1). This method of administration is particularly useful for examining the acute effects of ethanol on distinct periods of development, and allows for a rapid increase in BAC with limited handling-induced stress. However, this method of administration does not resemble ethanol consumption in human beings and may not accurately replicate several important aspects of human PNEE. For example, i.p. injections of ethanol during the first trimester equivalent in mice result in a higher incidence of malformation when compared to the same ethanol dose delivered via intubation (114). Ethanol administered i.p. to pregnant guinea pigs was also shown to cross from the intraperitoneal space into the uterus and chorioamniotic membranes and amniotic fluid as well as being absorbed into the mothers circulation (115). This indicates that the fetus is exposed to high levels of ethanol very soon after injection, which does not accurately mimic what occurs following oral ingestion.
