Effects of fumonisin B1 in pregnant rats.
Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the major mycotoxin from Fusarium moniliforme, has been implicated as a causative agent in several animal and human diseases. Despite animal toxicity studies and human epidemiological studies of FB1, knowledge of its reproductive effects is scarce. In this study, one of a series of proposed studies that will allow extrapolation to humans, pregnant rats were given oral doses of 0, 1.875, 3.75, 7.5 or 15 mg FB1/kg on gestation days 3 16. Caesarean sections were performed on day 17 or 20, and maternal condition, implantation efficiency, foetal viability and foetal development were measured. Dose-related decreases in overall feed consumption and body weight gain were seen, but only the feed consumption decrease at 15 mg/kg, and the decreased body weight gain at 15 mg/kg on days 0-17 were statistically significant. Foetal body weights at day 17 were similar in control and treated groups; but in day-20 foetuses, female weight and crown-rump length were significantly decreased at 15 mg/kg. FB1 was not teratogenic at the doses tested, and no dose-related effects were seen in either skeletal or soft-tissue development. In day-17 animals, maternal and foetal brain, liver and kidney tissues, and maternal serum were preserved to study the levels of sphinganine (Sa), sphingosine (So), and the Sa/So ratios. Dose-related increases were seen in Sa/So ratios in maternal livers, kidneys and serum. Sa/So ratios of maternal brains were not affected, nor were those of foetal kidneys, livers or brains.
Collins
T F
TF
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, MD 20708, USA.
Shackelford
M E
ME
Sprando
R L
RL
Black
T N
TN
Láborde
J B
JB
Hansen
D K
DK
Eppley
R M
RM
Trucksess
M W
MW
Howard
P C
PC
Bryant
M A
MA
Ruggles
D I
DI
Olejnik
N
N
Rorie
J I
JI
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000633:toxicity*; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D037341:Fumonisins; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D013723:Teratogens / Q000633:toxicity*
D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D037341:Fumonisins; D013723:Teratogens; C056933:fumonisin B1; D013110:Sphingosine; C005682:safingol