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Injection of l-alpha-noracetylmethadol (NLAAM), the active des-methyl metabolite of l-alpha-acetylmethadol, into chicken eggs on the 3rd day of embryonic development produced no deficits in body or brain weight, or brain nucleic acid and protein content in the 20-day check embryo. NLAAM decreased embryo viability in a dose-dependent manner as early as day 4. At this time measureable levels of radiolabeled NLAAM could be detected in the embryo; further sampling of whole embryos or embryo brains demonstrated continual exposure to NLAAM throughout development. The present report describes the utility of an avian model in studying the direct effects of prenatal opiate exposure on development.