Sex differences in renal damage induced in the mouse by Amanita virosa

The sensitivity of male and female mice to Amanita virosa was compared. Dried, homogenized mushroom was given orally by stomach tubing at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg dried mushroom/kg body weight. Both in males and in females, the kidneys were the only organs showing macroscopical changes. The dose of 100 mg/kg caused renal damage in females, whereas in males the first signs of kidney damage were seen at the dose of 400 mg/kg. The renal lesions observed in the males were located in the cortex, while in the females they were limited to the outer stripe of the outer medullary zone. Testectomy diminished the nephrotoxicity of A. virosa in male mice and caused changes in the localization of renal lesions.