Prenatal effects of Ochratoxin A in hamsters

Pregnant golden hamsters were injected ip with 2.5-20 mg/kg ochratoxin A on one of gestation days 7-10. The largest dosages when given on day 7,8, or 9 increased prenatal mortality and on day 9 diminished fetal growth. Malformations, such as micrognathia, hydrocephalus, short tail, oligodactyly, syndactyly, cleft lip, micromelia, and heart defects occurred, but no skeletal malformations were noted. These results add to the prenatal effects of ochratoxin A previously reported in mouse, rat, and chicken embryos.