DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY IN HAMSTERS OF AN AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF FUSARIUM-MONILIFORME CULTURE MATERIAL CONTAINING KNOWN QUANTITIES OF FUMONISIN B-1

The purpose of this study was to investigate potential detrimental eff ects of fumonisin B on the developing hamster. In experiments 1 and 2, timed-bred hamsters were dosed with 0.0 to 12.0 mg fumonisin B-1/kg f rom day 8 to day TO or day 12 of gestation. Clinical signs of maternal toxicity were not observed. Pregnant animals had reduced weight gains and Tower total bilirubin levels than nonpregnant females. Hamsters w ere euthanized on day 15 of gestation. Histologic evaluation revealed autolytic placental changes expected in terminal gestation, as well as more advanced placental necrosis in association with fetal resorption s. Mean fetal weights and crown-rump lengths of living term fetuses on a per-liter basis did not differ between untreated controls and treat ed animals given 6.0 mg fumonisin B-1/kg or less. However, at higher d oses of fumonisin B-1, there was an increased incidence of prenatal lo sses (deaths and resorptions). A-greater percentage of litters had 1 o r more fetuses affected, and a greater percentage of total fetuses wer e lost/litter as the fumonisin dosage increased. At 12.0 mg/kg, all li tters were affected and 100% of the fetuses were dead and resorbing. F umonisin B-1 appears a developmental toxicant in hamsters. Toxicity is manifest by increased numbers of prenatal deaths and resorptions at d oses that do not induce clinicopathologic evidence of maternal toxicit y.