FUMONISIN B-1 IS FETOTOXIC IN RATS

Groups of 5-6 pregnant F344/N rats were dosed (po) from d 8 to 12 of g estation with 30 or 60 mg purified fumonisin B-1 (FB1)/kg body weight, or with a fat-soluble extract of Fusarium proliferatum/corn culture d erived from an amount of corn culture that would provide approximately 60 mg FB1/kg. Control rats were dosed with water or corn oil. Food in take was monitored daily during dosing. Fetal bone development was exa mined after staining with alizarin red, whereas internal organ develop ment was examined in hematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue sections. Al though group differences in maternal body weight were not statisticall y significant, weight was 6% less in darns dosed with 60 mg FB1/kg com pared with the control group (p < 0.12). Relative litter weight was si gnificantly suppressed by 60 mg FB1/kg. Ossification of the sternebrae and vertebral bodies was significantly impaired by FB1 treatment. Lit ters from mothers treated with a fat-soluble extract of F proliferatum /corn culture did not have suppression of weight or impairment of bone development. Fumonisin B-1 is fetotoxic to rats by suppressing growth and fetal bone development.