[Potential teratogenic action of the mycelium of the higher fungus, Polyporellus squamosus]

The influence on the embryonic development of food with only source of protein derived from the mycelium of the higher fungus Polyporellus squamosus, was studied in a group of 90 pregnant rats. Animals fed caseine and standard food pressed into briquettes as source of protein served as controls. On the 17-th and 18-th gestation day 8 animals were examined and the number of of lutein bodies and fetuses was checked up. Anomalies were serched in the fetuses, by use of the method of Dawson and Wilson. The progeny of rats treated during gestation was examined on the 21-st day of life, by using a number of blood, integral and biochemical parameters (GOT, GPT, AP, SDH, catalase, sulfhydryl groups, soluble, protein). Proceeding from the results obtained, the authors rule out any teratogenic and embryotoxic activity of the mycelium of Polyporellus squamosus, under the aforegoing experimental conditions.