title: Fumonisin B₁ induced neural tube defects were not increased in LM/Bc mice fed folate-deficient diet.
abstract: METHODS
  Fumonisin B1 (FB1 ) is found in corn-based foods and is a possible risk factor for neural tube defects (NTDs). The mechanism(s) underlying NTD induction by FB1 in LM/Bc mice is not understood; however, evidence suggests disrupted folate transport is involved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Female LM/Bc mice were fed folate-sufficient (control) or folate-deficient diet beginning 5 wk before mating, treated with 0 (vehicle), 2.5 or 10 mg/kg FB1 by intraperitoneal injection on embryonic days 7 (E7) and E8, and their fetuses examined on E16. Dose-dependent NTD induction was found in groups fed the control diet: 3 of 13 low-dose and 10 of 11 high-dose litters were affected. Among groups fed folate-deficient diet, NTDs were found only in 4 of 11 high-dose litters. In another trial, consumption of folate-deficient diet also resulted in fewer NTDs at a dose of 10 mg/kg FB1 and reduced maternal red blood cell folate levels by 80%. In utero death did not fully account for the differences in NTD rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Folate deficiency does not exacerbate NTD induction by FB1 in LM/Bc mice. Interactions between folate, other nutritional factors, and FB1 in this mouse model for NTDs are complex and require further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Toxicology and Mycotoxin Research Unit, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Voss
authors.forename: Ronald T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: Janee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gelineau-van Waes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000473:pathology; D037341:Fumonisins / Q000633:toxicity*; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D037341:Fumonisins; C056933:fumonisin B1; D005492:Folic Acid
keywords: Folate; Fumonisin; Mice; Neural tube defects