Animal models of FASD have played a critical role in both classifying alcohol-related birth defects and understanding mechanisms of alcohol teratogenesis. The use of animal models allows for variables such as timing, dose, and method of exposure to be manipulated while controlling other environmental factors. The vast majority of studies use rodent models and administer alcohol either to the pregnant dam (modeling exposure during the first two trimesters of human pregnancy) or directly to the pups early in the postnatal period (modeling third trimester-equivalent exposure). Common routes of administration for alcohol include i.p. injection (of the dam prenatally or, less commonly, to the pups postnatally), intragastric gavage (either of the dam in prenatal models or of the pups in postnatal models), voluntary drinking (prenatal only), liquid diet (prenatal only), or placement of the dam and/or pups into a vapor chamber. The experimental question often leads to the use of a specific species or exposure paradigm; the models used for each study discussed in this review will be described as necessary. More detailed explanations of rodent models of FASD can be
