Ochratoxin A-induced teratogenesis in rats: partial protection by phenylalanine

Ochratoxin A (OA), an important foodborne mycotoxin, is a potent teratogenic and nephrotoxic agent produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. OA is a known inhibitor of protein synthesis via competition with phenylalanine (Phe) in the phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase-catalyzed reaction. It also has been reported that a variety of toxic effects of OA can be prevented by Phe. This study was designed to determine whether Phe could prevent or diminish the teratogenic effects of OA in rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with a single individual dose of OA (1.75 mg/kg) alone or in combination with a single dose of Phe (20 mg/kg) or in combination with either a single or daily dose of Phe (25 mg/kg). OA dissolved in 5% sodium bicarbonate and Phe dissolved in normal saline were administered subcutaneously on gestation day 7 to rats. The incidences of OA-induced fetal malformations (gross and skeletal) were significantly diminished in the presence of added Phe. These results indicate that coadministered Phe provides partial prenatal protection from the teratogenic effects of OA.