TERATOGENIC EFFECTS OF FUSAPROLIFERIN ON CHICKEN EMBRYOS

Fusaproliferin (FP) is a sesterterpene mycotoxin produced by some spec ies of Fusarium, common contaminants of maize. Toxicity assays on Arte mia salina L. brine shrimp larvae using FP and its derivatives showed that toxic activity of the metabolite increased after acetylation of t he two hydroxyl groups and was reduced when the naturally occurring ac etyl group was removed. In chick embryotoxicity bioassays, severe tera togenic effects were observed in 20% of the embryos exposed at 5 mM FP on day 1. In particular FP was responsible for cephalic dicotomy, mac rocephaly, and limb asymmetry. At the same concentration, FP also caus ed pathological changes such as hemorrhaging on the surface of the win gs, skull, and legs. Incomplete closure of the umbilicus was seen in 3 0% of embryos inoculated with 5 mM of FP on day 1 and in 20% of those inoculated on day 11.