DIETARY FUMONISINS DISRUPT SPHINGOLIPID METABOLISM IN MINK AND INCREASE THE FREE SPHINGANINE TO SPHINGOSINE RATIO IN URINE BUT NOT IN HAIR

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Fusariu m moniliforme culture material (M-1325) containing known concentration s of fumonisins B-1, B-2 and B-3 an sphingolipids in urine and hair of mink (Mustela vison) for use as potential, non-invasive biomarkers of exposure to fumonisins in this spec res. Feeding mink diets containin g 86, 22, and 7 ppm or 200, 42, and 12 ppm of fumonisins B-1, B-2 and B-3, respectively, yielded marked increases in urinary free sphinganin e (Sa) and free sphingosine (So) concentrations, and free Sa/free So r atios (2 to 11-fold) within 7 d, compared to controls. Free Sa and fre e So concentrations and Sa/So ratios in hair samples from mink fed the control or high dose fumonisin diets for 100 days were similar and we re not apparently altered by exposure to these mycotoxins. These resul ts suggest that Sa/So ratios In urine, but not in hair of mink can ser ve as an early indicator of exposure to fumonisins in this species.