Teratogenic potential of the mycotoxin, citreoviridin, in rats.

Citreoviridin produced by the fungus Penicillium citreo-viride was administered by gavage to groups of 9-16 pregnant Fisher 344 rats either on days 8-11 (group A) or on days 12-15 (group B) of gestation. Doses of 0, 5, 10 or 15 mg/kg body weight were given daily in a constant volume of 1 ml/kg body weight in dimethylsulphoxide. Six rats in each high-dose group died during the dosing period. Compared with control groups, mean daily feed consumption was significantly reduced in the 10- and 15-mg/kg animals in both groups A and B. Weight gain during pregnancy in both groups was reduced with increasing dosage; dams in control groups gained an average of 75 g/rat compared with 30 g overall gain in group A, or 9 g overall gain in group B, both at a dose of 15 mg/kg. Male and female pup weights were reduced with increasing dosage for both groups A and B. The post-implantation foetal loss rate was significantly increased to 33% in group A high-dose animals. The main effect of citreoviridin on skeletal development in both groups A and B was one of retardation. No internal abnormalities were observed in group A pups. Some smaller than average pups from dams in group B that were treated with the high dose of citreoviridin had slightly dilated lateral ventricles of the brain and, in some cases, a palate defect. The foetotoxicity induced by citreoviridin was observed only at doses that also induced maternal toxicity.