Figure 6. mRNA gene expression in arteries of fetuses exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.

Prenatal alcohol exposure increased collagen Ia1 mRNA level in fetal cerebral artery, but there was no change in collagen Ia2 or collagen III. Prenatal alcohol exposure increased tropoelastin mRNA expression in cerebral artery, while decreasing eNOS mRNA expression in coronary arteries. There was no difference in TGFβ1 or elastase 2 mRNA level between alcohol and control groups. Open bars, saline (n = 4–5); filled bars, alcohol (n = 4–5). *Significant difference between saline and alcohol exposure.