Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Using Tg(Vtg1:mcherry) Zebrafish Embryos to Test the Estrogenic Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
12:02

Using Tg(Vtg1:mcherry) Zebrafish Embryos to Test the Estrogenic Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds

Published on: August 8, 2020

Studies on the embryotoxicity and mutagenicity of mycotoxins

G Matthiaschk1, A Korte

  • 1Abteilung Toxikologie, Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Bundesgesundheitsamt, Postfach 33 00 13, D-1000, Berlin 33, FRG.

Mycotoxin Research
|April 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated the embryotoxic and teratogenic effects of mycotoxins Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), G1 (AFG1), and Patulin (PA) in mice. Results show these toxins can cause developmental abnormalities and chromosomal damage in vivo.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mycotoxins, secondary metabolites produced by fungi, pose significant health risks.
  • Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), Aflatoxin G1 (AFG1), and Patulin (PA) are common food contaminants with known toxicity.
  • Understanding their developmental and genetic toxicity is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of AFB1, AFG1, and PA in a rodent model.
  • To assess the mutagenic activity of AFB1 and PA using the dominant lethal assay.
  • To investigate the in vivo clastogenic effects of AFB1, AFG1, and PA on bone marrow cells.

Main Methods:

  • NMRI mice were administered AFB1, AFG1, and PA via intraperitoneal injection or oral gavage on days 12 and 13 of gestation.
  • Fetal development, including weight, malformations (cleft palate, wavy ribs, kidney malformations, diaphragm changes), was examined.
  • Dominant lethal assays and in vivo chromosome aberration tests in Chinese hamster bone marrow cells were performed.

Main Results:

  • AFB1 induced moderate fetal growth retardation and dose-related teratogenic effects like cleft palates and diaphragm changes.
  • AFG1 exposure led to reduced fetal weight, diaphragm anomalies, and kidney malformations.
  • PA caused an increased rate of cleft palates at a specific dose and demonstrated significant chromosome aberration induction, with the order of activity being PA > AFB1 > AFG1. Neither AFB1 nor PA showed mutagenic activity in the dominant lethal assay.

Conclusions:

  • AFB1, AFG1, and PA exhibit significant embryotoxic and teratogenic potential in mice.
  • These mycotoxins can induce chromosomal damage in vivo, with Patulin being the most potent among the tested substances.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of toxicity and establish safe exposure limits.

More Related Videos

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells05:45

Developmental Toxicity Assay Based on Real-Time Monitoring of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signal Disruption in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: October 10, 2025

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation17:28

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Developmental Toxicity Assays for Chemical Safety Screening and Systems Biology Data Generation

Published on: June 17, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity01:25

Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Toxicity Testing in Animals01:23

Toxicity Testing in Animals

Toxicity tests in animals are grounded on two main assumptions: first, the effects observed in laboratory animals can be extrapolated to humans, especially when adjusted for body surface area; second, high-dose exposure in animals is essential to identify potential human hazards from lower doses. This is based on the quantal dose-response concept, which faces the challenge of extrapolating results from relatively few test animals to much larger human populations. For example, a 0.01% incidence...
In-vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In-vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
In vitro Mutagenesis01:16

In vitro Mutagenesis

To learn more about the function of a gene, researchers can observe what happens when the gene is inactivated or “knocked out,” by creating genetically engineered knockout animals. Knockout mice have been particularly useful as models for human diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.
Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity01:25

Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity

Bioactivation is a metabolic process that transforms less reactive substances into highly reactive metabolites, initiating tissue toxicity. This transformation can lead to various toxic effects, including carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. Reactive metabolites are classified into two main types: electrophiles and free radicals.Electrophiles are electron-deficient species and are produced primarily by the enzyme cytochrome P-450 during the metabolism of compounds containing carbon, nitrogen, or...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...