THE EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF ETHYL-ALCOHOL TO MICE ON MEGAKARYOCYTE AND PLATELET DEVELOPMENT

The effects of administration to laboratory mice of 5-20% ethyl alcohol (vol/vol) as drinking water on megakaryocyte and platelet development were studied and compared with data on controls given tap water. In 2 separate experiments, mice given 5-15% ethyl alcohol (vol/vol) for 13 or 11 wks showed decreases in platelet counts and platelet 35S uptake when compared to the control groups. Mice fed 5-20% alcohol for 5 wks showed platelet counts, bone marrow megakaryocyte numbers and diameters that were significantly reduced to 72% (P < 0.001), 45% (P < 0.001), and 71% (P < 0.01), respectively. Ethyl alcohol ingestion apparently had a direct inhibitory effect on megakaryocyte and platlet development in mice, which resulted in a marked reduction in the levels of circulating platelets.