title: Inhibition of ochratoxin A teratogenesis by zearalenone and diethylstilboestrol.
abstract: The modifying effect of zearalenone (ZEN) and diethylstilboestrol (DES) on ochratoxin A (OCT A) teratogenesis was investigated in the mouse. The three compounds, either individually or in combination (OCT A + ZEN or OCT A + DES), were administered orally on day 9 of pregnancy and the offspring were examined on day 19. All of the foetuses surviving exposure to ZEN (5-20 mg/kg body weight) or DES (0.125 mg/kg) were morphologically normal, while a high percentage (31-40%) of those exposed to OCT A (1-2 mg/kg) exhibited gross abnormalities such as exencephaly, open eyelids and microphthalmia. These effects were either not seen or occurred in a relatively small percentage when the toxin was combined with ZEN or DES. The results indicate that these non-steroidal oestrogenic substances of mycological (ZEN) and synthetic (DES) origin may protect the foetus from the teratogenic effects of OCT A by some unknown mechanism.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D015025:Zearalenone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009793:Ochratoxins; D012118:Resorcinols; D013723:Teratogens; C025589:ochratoxin A; D015025:Zearalenone; D004054:Diethylstilbestrol