Fumonisins: current research trends in developmental toxicology

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Developmental Biology
• Food Safety

Background:

• Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin from Fusarium verticillioides, prevalent in maize and maize-based products.
• Previous reproductive studies found no teratogenic effects, but recent evidence suggests a potential link to neural tube defects (NTDs).
• High consumption of contaminated corn is a concern for populations at risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the ability of FB1 to induce NTDs in two mouse strains: LM/Bc and CD1.
• To investigate if NTD induction by FB1 is strain-specific.
• To assess the suitability of mouse models for studying fumonisin-related NTDs in humans.

Main Methods:

• Feeding study: Female mice (LM/Bc and CD1) were fed Fusarium verticillioides culture material (≤150 ppm FB1) before and during gestation.
• Intraperitoneal (IP) injection study: CD1 dams received FB1 via IP injection on gestation days 7 and 8, critical for NTD development.
• Litter analysis for NTDs in both experimental groups.

Main Results:

• In the feeding study, one of five LM/Bc litters showed NTDs, while no NTDs were observed in CD1 litters.
• In the IP injection study, 40% of CD1 litters at the highest dose (45 mg/kg) exhibited NTDs.
• One low-dose (15 mg/kg) CD1 litter also showed NTDs, indicating FB1 induced NTDs in both strains, with LM/Bc appearing more sensitive.

Conclusions:

• Fumonisin B1 can induce neural tube defects in both LM/Bc and CD1 mouse strains.
• The CD1 mouse strain appears less sensitive to FB1-induced NTDs compared to the LM/Bc strain.
• Comparative studies using these mouse strains are valuable for understanding fumonisin's mechanisms and human relevance.