Skeletal deformities induced by the intraperitoneal administration of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) in mice

The contamination of drinking water by organic acids, selenium deficiency a nd the ingestion of fungal mycotoxins are the three main aetiological facto rs in the development of Kashin-Beck disease. An avian tibial chondrodyspla sia induced by mycotoxins has been reported. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of many mycotoxins produced by the most common contaminating species of fungi . The pattern of skeletal malformations induced by its administration intra peritoneally to pregnant mice is reported. Costo-vertebral segmentation abn ormalities were the main deformities observed. The chondrodysplasia previou sly described was not seen.