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Developmental toxicity of purified fumonisin B1 in pregnant Syrian hamsters
J D Penner1, S W Casteel, L Pittman
1Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to characterize the developmental toxicity of fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme, on fetal Syrian hamsters. Fusarium moniliforme has been associated with a variety of diseases in animals and esophageal cancer in humans. Purified FB1 causes leukoencephalomalacia in horses and is hepatocarcinogenic in rats. Fumonisin B1 has been associated with fetal toxicity in rats and mice and has been suggested to be involved in reproductive failure in pregnant sows. Results from a preliminary developmental toxicity study using an aqueous extract of F. moniliforme corn-culture material in hamsters suggested that FB1 was a developmental toxicant. These results were verified using purified FB1. Six groups of ten time-mated female Syrian hamsters were dosed with 0.0-18 mg kg(-1) day(-1) of FB1 by gavage on days 8-12 of gestation and euthanized on day 15. Live fetuses were weighed and examined for gross external and internal abnormalities and skeletal anomalies. Purified fumonisin B1 was shown to cause dose-dependent fetal death and delayed fetal development without causing fetal abnormalities.
Insights
Fumonisin B1 (FB1) exposure in Syrian hamsters caused dose-dependent fetal death and developmental delays. No specific fetal abnormalities were observed, indicating FB1
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
- Mycotoxicology
Background:
- Fusarium moniliforme produces fumonisin B1 (FB1), a mycotoxin linked to animal diseases and human esophageal cancer.
- FB1 is known to cause leukoencephalomalacia in horses and hepatocarcinogenicity in rats.
- Previous studies suggest FB1 is involved in fetal toxicity in rodents and reproductive issues in sows.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the developmental toxicity of purified fumonisin B1 (FB1) in fetal Syrian hamsters.
- To verify preliminary findings suggesting FB1 as a developmental toxicant in hamsters.
- To establish a dose-response relationship for FB1's effects on fetal development.
Main Methods:
- Time-mated female Syrian hamsters were administered varying doses of purified FB1 (0.0-18 mg/kg/day) via gavage from day 8 to 12 of gestation.
- Hamsters were euthanized on day 15 of gestation.
- Fetuses were weighed and examined for external, internal, and skeletal abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Purified fumonisin B1 exposure resulted in a dose-dependent increase in fetal death.
- Delayed fetal development was observed in response to FB1 administration.
- No specific fetal abnormalities were identified, despite evidence of toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Fumonisin B1 is a developmental toxicant in Syrian hamsters, primarily causing fetal death and growth retardation.
- The mechanism of toxicity does not appear to involve the induction of gross fetal malformations.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific pathways of FB1-induced developmental toxicity.