Emotion and motivation: measuring affective perception

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), the major mycotoxin from Fusarium moniliforme, has been implicated as a causative agent in several animal and human diseases. Despite animal toxicity studies and human epidemiological studies of FB1, knowledge of its reproductive effects is scarce. In this study, one of a series of proposed studies that will allow extrapolation to humans, pregnant rats were given oral doses of 0, 1.875, 3.75, 7.5 or 15 mg FB1/kg on gestation days 3 16. Caesarean sections were performed on day 17 or 20, and maternal condition, implantation efficiency, foetal viability and foetal development were measured. Dose-related decreases in overall feed consumption and body weight gain were seen, but only the feed consumption decrease at 15 mg/kg, and the decreased body weight gain at 15 mg/kg on days 0-17 were statistically significant. Foetal body weights at day 17 were similar in control and treated groups; but in day-20 foetuses, female weight and crown-rump length were significantly decreased at 15 mg/kg. FB1 was not teratogenic at the doses tested, and no dose-related effects were seen in either skeletal or soft-tissue development. In day-17 animals, maternal and foetal brain, liver and kidney tissues, and maternal serum were preserved to study the levels of sphinganine (Sa), sphingosine (So), and the Sa/So ratios. Dose-related increases were seen in Sa/So ratios in maternal livers, kidneys and serum. Sa/So ratios of maternal brains were not affected, nor were those of foetal kidneys, livers or brains.     

Murine cerberus homologue mCer-1: a candidate anterior patterning molecule

The fungal toxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a contaminant of corn-based foods and feeds produced by members of the genus Fusarium. Fumonisin B1 toxicity was examined using gavage administration of purified toxin to female Sprague-Dawley rats. For 11 consecutive days each rat received a single dose of FB1 at the following concentrations: control (saline), 1, 5, 15, 35, or 75 mg FB1/kg body weight/d. Significantly depressed body weight and food consumption occurred at 35 and 75 mg FB1/kg/d. By the end of the dosing period there were no significant changes in food consumption. Kidneys and bone marrow were most sensitive to FB1 exposure. Changes in renal morphology were observed from 5 to 75 mg FB1/kg/d, accompanied by transient changes in urine osmolality and urine enzyme levels. Increased cellular vacuolation was the primary change associated with bone-marrow toxicity, starting at doses of 5 mg FB1/kg/d. Hepatotoxicity was indicated by reduced liver weight, elevated serum alanine amonitransferase (ALT), and mild histopathological changes occurring at doses of 15 mg FB1/kg/d and higher. Increased cytoplasmic vacuolation of adrenal cortex cells occurred in rats treated with 15 mg FB1/kg/d and higher, indicating that the adrenals are also potential targets of FB1. Elevated serum cholesterol, which is a consistent response to FB1 was observed at 5 mg FB1/kg/d and higher. Based on responses in this study, gavage is an appropriate substitute for longer feeding studies. Compared to previous work with male rats, gender-related difference in FB1 responses lacked consistency but indicated that males may be marginally more sensitive than female Sprague-Dawley rats.     

Study on the developmental toxicity of orally administered isobutylidenediurea in rats

Developmental toxicity of isobutylidenediurea (IBDU) was determined by oral administration to Wistar rats. The substance was administered as an aqueous suspension to 22-24 pregnant rats per group by gavage in daily doses of 100, 400 and 1000 mg/kg body weight from day 6 post-coitum (p.c.) to day 15 p.c. The control group received the vehicle only (0.5% aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose solution). There were no substance-related effects in the dams concerning food consumption, body weight, body weight gain, uterine weights and clinical or autopsy observations even at the highest dose of 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. The reproduction data revealed no biologically relevant differences between the control and treated groups. The incidence and type of the foetal external, soft tissue and skeletal findings, which were classified as malformations, variations and/or retardations observed in the treated foetuses were similar to the concurrent and/or historical control data. Thus, under the conditions of this study, no signs of maternal toxicity or embryo/foetotoxicity were induced by IBDU and the no-observable-adverse-effect level on the maternal and developing organism was 1000 mg/kg body weight/day.     

Toxicity of fumonisin B1 to B6C3F1 mice: a 14-day gavage study

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a fungal toxin produced by members of the genus Fusarium. Ingestion of FB1 causes species-specific neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic and pulmonary effects. The clinical, haematological and pathological responses of adult male and female B6C3F1 mice to FB1 were assessed following 14 daily gavage doses ranging from 1 to 75 mg FB1/kg body weight/day. There were no consistent sex-related changes. Although all responses were modest, the most notable effects of FB1 were on the liver, bone marrow, adrenals and kidneys. In the liver, hepatocellular single cell necrosis, mitosis and anisokaryosis were observed, accompanied by elevated serum ALT. In the kidneys, minor histopathological changes were confined to female mice, while mild decreases in ion transport and increases in blood urea nitrogen were seen only in males. Small changes in glutathione levels were observed in the kidneys and livers of male mice. Adrenal cortical cell vacuolation was observed at 15 mg FB1/kg and higher in females and from 35 mg FB1/kg in males. Serum cholesterol was elevated in both male and female mice, possibly due to FB1-induced changes in lipid metabolism in the liver and adrenals. Although bone marrow cell numbers were unchanged, increases in vacuolated myeloid cells and lymphocytes were observed in female mice. In general, the degree of changes observed indicate that mice are not as sensitive a model of FB1 toxicity as rats.     

An experimental model of pleural cancer. Value of orthotopic implantation of human tumor tissue in nude mice

In a comparison article we report that maternal PO exposure to 2.5 mg/kg all-trans retinoic acid (RA) daily for 3 consecutive days over gestational days (GD) 11-13 produces a 10% reduction in weight of cerebellum at 4 weeks of age, not accompanied by other malformations. Here we report the results of a preliminary behavioral analysis of offspring exposed gestationally to RA as above. Exposed dams were allowed to deliver normally, and litters were culled to eight pups (4 +/- 1 of each sex) at birth. Both male and female offspring were tested prior to weaning on GD 21. Thereafter females were killed on postnatal day (PND) 28 for verification of RA effects on regional brain weight, and all subsequent behavioral testing was conducted on males. Preweaning tests were restricted to negative geotaxis (PND 8-9) and open field activity (PND 22). Postweaning tests included open field activity (PND 43), auditory startle response (three times, on PNDs 22, 43, and 84), 2-week activity in residential running wheels (PNDs 62-76), complex maze performance for 5 consecutive days (PND 83-87), emergence latency (PND 106), and assessment of the behavioral response to an amphetamine challenge (PND 107). Males were then killed on PND 108 for verification of RA effects on regional brain weights. In this study, RA reduced weight of cerebellum but not striatum. Cerebellar weight was 92% of control values in PND 28 females, and this weight difference had diminished to 95% of control weight by PND 108 in males. There were no treatment effects on negative geotaxis, activity in a small open field, auditory startle amplitude, or latency to enter an illuminated alley from a dark chamber. Maze learning occurred at levels equal to or slightly better than controls. Running wheel activity was enhanced by RA exposure, whereas activity in response to an amphetamine challenge was reduced by such exposure. We conclude that RA doses low enough to produce mild weight reductions in cerebellum, without attendant malformations, can alter behavior. The precise nature of these alterations remains to be elucidated, but the findings reported here suggest that effects may be more pronounced on activity than on learning.     

Immediate and long-term effects of neonatal MK-801 treatment on nonspatial learning

These experiments observed the immediate and long-term effects of neonatal treatment with MK-801 on patterned single alternation (PSA), a form of nonspatial, memory-based learning. Rat pups were injected daily on postnatal days (PND) 7-19, with MK-801 (MK+) or the less active isomer of MK-801 (MK-) (0.25 mg/kg), and trained at either PND 22 or 60. Rats treated with MK+ or MK- and trained on PND 22 were significantly impaired in PSA when compared with the saline control. Beyond the learning impairment, MK+ rats showed an overall decreased running speed during training. They also presented an array of abnormal behaviors and significant weight loss. These nonassociative variables were determined for several doses (0.025, 0. 05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.20 mg/kg) through PND days 22-25. Rats that received the threshold dose for secondary effects (0.025 mg/kg) also showed an overall decrease in running speed, but failed to show a significant nonspatial learning impairment on PSA. The PSA learning impairment was found to be not long lasting; rats trained at PND 60, after neonatally receiving the original high dose of MK-801, did not differ from controls.     

Developmental toxicity evaluation of isopropanol by gavage in rats and rabbits

Timed-pregnant CD (Sprague-Dawley) rats, 25/group, were dosed orally with aqueous isopropanol (IPA; CAS No. 67-63-0) solutions at 0, 400, 800, or 1200 mg/kg/day, once daily on Gestational Days (GD) 6 through 15 at a dosing volume of 5 ml/kg. Artificially inseminated New Zealand white rabbits, 15/group, were dosed orally with IPA at 0, 120, 240, or 480 mg/kg/day once daily on GD 6 through 18 at 2 ml/kg. Maternal body weights, clinical observations, and food consumption were recorded throughout gestation for both species. At scheduled euthanization for both species (GD 20, rats; GD 30, rabbits), fetuses were weighed, sexed, and examined for external, visceral (including craniofacial) and skeletal alterations. For both species, the pregnancy rate was high and equivalent across all groups; no dams or does aborted, delivered early, or were removed from study. In rats, two dams (8%) died at 1200 mg/kg/day and one dam (4%) died at 800 mg/kg/day. Maternal body weights and weight gain were equivalent across all groups, except for statistically significantly reduced gestational weight gain (GD 0-20; 89.9% of control value), associated with statistically significantly reduced gravid uterine weight at 1200 mg/kg/day (89.2% of control value). There were no treatment-related clinical signs or effects on maternal food consumption. All gestational parameters evaluated were equivalent across groups, including pre- and postimplantation loss, fetal sex ratios, and litter size. Twenty-two to 25 litters were examined per group. Fetal body weights per litter were statistically significantly reduced at the two highest doses (97.3 (n.s.), 94.7, and 94.3% of controls at 800 mg/kg/day and 92.1, 91.9, and 95.4% of controls at 1200 mg/kg/day for all fetuses and males and females separately). No evidence of increased teratogenicity was observed at any dose tested in rats. In rabbits, four does (26.7%) died at 480 mg/kg/day. Maternal body weights were statistically significantly reduced during treatment (GD 6-18) at 480 mg/kg/day (45.4% of control value) with a nonsignificant reduction in gestational weight change (GD 0-30; 77.3% of control value) at this dose. Profound clinical signs of toxicity and statistically significantly reduced maternal food consumption were observed at 480 mg/kg/day. All gestational parameters were equivalent across all doses administered. Thirteen to 15 litters were evaluated per group except for the 480 mg/kg/day group with 11 litters (due to maternal deaths). There were no treatment-related effects on pre- or postimplantation loss, fetal sex ratio, litter size, or fetal body weight/litter. Moreover, no evidence was found of increased teratogenicity at any dose tested in rabbits. Therefore, IPA was not teratogenic to CD rats or to NZW rabbits. The NOAELS for both maternal and developmental toxicity were 400 mg/kg/day in rats, and were 240 and 480 mg/kg/day, respectively, in rabbits.     

NMDA receptor antagonism impairs reversal learning in developing rats.

Four experiments examined the effect of dizocilpine maleate (MK-801), a noncompetitive N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, on reversal learning during development. On postnatal days (PND) 21, 26, or 30, rats were trained on spatial discrimination and reversal in a T-maze. When MK-801 was administered (intraperitoneally) before both acquisition and reversal, 0.18 mg/kg generally impaired performance, whereas doses of 0.06 mg/kg and 0.10 mg/kg, but not 0.03 mg/kg, selectively impaired reversal learning (Experiments 1 and 3). The selective effect on reversal was not a result of sensitization to the second dose of MK-801 (Experiment 2) and was observed when the drug was administered only during reversal in an experiment addressing state-dependent learning (Experiment 4). Spatial reversal learning is more sensitive to NMDA-receptor antagonism than is acquisition. No age differences in sensitivity to MK-801 were found between PND 21 and 30. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neurochemical and neurobehavioral effects of repeated gestational exposure to chlorpyrifos in maternal and developing rats

Acute exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) on gestation day 12 (GD12, 200 mg/kg/ml, SC) causes extensive neurochemical changes in maternal brain but lesser changes in fetal brain. In the present study, we examined the relative neurotoxicity of repeated, lower-level CPF exposures during gestation in rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to CPF (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg per day, SC) from GD12-19 and sampled at either GD16, GD20, or postnatal day 3 (PND3) for measurement of various maternal and developmental neurochemical markers. In contrast to the high acute dose exposure, no maternal toxicity was noted with repeated lower-level dosing. Extensive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition (83-90%) was noted in maternal brain at all three time points following repeated exposures (25 mg/kg). Higher AChE inhibition (58%) was noted in fetal brain at GD20 compared to 19-25% on PND3 in treated pups cross-fostered to control dams and in control pups cross-fostered to treated dams following repeated exposures (25 mg/kg per day). Whereas similar reductions in brain muscarinic receptor binding were noted at GD20 and PND3 in dams and developing brain between acute and repeated dosing regimens, greater changes in [3H]CD and [3H]cytisine binding were evident following repeated exposures. Righting reflex and cliff avoidance tests were markedly altered following repeated exposures. The results suggest that lower-level repeated exposures to CPF cause extensive neurochemical and neurobehavioral changes in developing rats in the absence of maternal toxicity.     

Intravenous gestational cocaine in rats: effects on offspring development and weanling behavior

Pregnant rats were injected with cocaine (CN; 6 mg/kg) or an equal volume of saline (SAL), via the tail vein, on gestation days 8-20. A third group was untreated (UT). Maternal weight gain was not affected by dam treatment despite slight differences in food intake. Litter characteristics (e.g., litter size, pup weight) did not differ among groups. Indices of fetal mortality were not affected by the treatments. Developmental tests, initiated on postnatal day (PND) 2, indicated slight delays in the negative geotaxic response and eye opening in cocaine-exposed pups. Open-field and tail-flick tests were performed on PND 21. Pups were acutely injected with cocaine (10 mg/kg, IP), saline, or received no treatment before placement in a novel open field; morphine (1.5 mg/kg, SC) or saline was injected prior to the tail flick test. Pups from CN dams exhibited a significant decrease in spontaneous exploratory behavior compared to both controls, and a time-dependent increase in rearing compared to pups from UT dams. The acute cocaine injection prior to placement in the open field did not alter locomotion or rearing among dam treatment groups. However, the acute cocaine injection did increase stereotypy ratings for female pups from CN dams compared to similarly treated males, and females from SAL and UT dams. No differences were observed among groups in the tail-flick test. These data suggest that the IV route of administration provides a viable method of cocaine delivery in pregnant rats, and provides further evidence of the developmental and behavioral teratogenicity of prenatal cocaine exposure.     

Tocopherols, retinol, beta-carotene and fatty acids in fat globule membrane and fat globule core in cows'' milk

To develop and characterize a murine model for investigating the long-term effects of prenatal cocaine exposure, the present study established the route of drug administration and the doses to be used for pregnant C57BL/6 mice. Comparison of the effects of a high dose of cocaine (60 mg/kg) when gavaged or injected subcutaneously (SC) established patterns of pathology characteristic of administration route but no dominating logic for selecting one over the other route for prenatal studies; however, because of the fourfold greater brain levels, with no evidence of greater pathology, the SC route was selected. When injected daily during gestation days 12-18, the period of prenatal development of dopamine systems, cocaine at doses producing plasma concentrations consistent with its stimulatory effects reduced food ingestion and weight gains during pregnancy and fetal body and brain weights at term. The extent of these reductions was comparable to reports on babies exposed to cocaine prenatally. Furthermore, the present study suggests that maternal undernutrition is not a likely mediator of these perinatal effects and that differences in the amount of cocaine exposure may cause the contrasting effects of maternal cocaine noted in the human literature.     

The anatomy of a consultation: a teaching method

Two dosages of Smokeless Tobacco (ST) extract were given to gravid Sprague-Dawley rats by oral gavage on gestational days (GD) 6-20. The low dosage contained ST extract equivalent to 1.33 mg/kg nicotine (STD-1), and the high dosage contained ST extract equivalent to 4.0 mg/kg nicotine (STD-2). Dams were dosed three times daily at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m., thus providing total daily nicotine equivalent dosages of 4 mg/kg/day and 12 mg/kg/day. Controls received equivalent amounts of distilled water by gavage. Dams were allowed to deliver and all experimental pups were fostered to control mothers. On postnatal day 1 (PND 1) litters were culled to 4 +/- 1 females and 4 +/- 1 males. Weights, physical landmark development, and behavioral performance of pups were monitored during pre- and post-weaning periods. Behavioral tests included: surface righting, negative geotaxis, swimming development, open-field activity, active avoidance in shuttle box, and Cincinnati swimming maze. Our results show that the STD-2 dose resulted in reduced maternal weight gain. Offspring weights were reduced in a dose-related manner, with the most consistent weight deficits seen in the STD-2 group until PND29. Consistent STD-1 weight deficits were seen up to PND 8. The incidence of deaths was increased in the STD-2 dosage group. No significant treatment-related differences were observed in development of physical landmarks. Male STD-2 pups righted faster than controls, and significant differences were noted in swimming development with the STD-1 group of pups performing less effectively than controls. Activity levels, assessed during both pre- and post-weaning periods were not affected. No treatment-related differences were seen in the active avoidance shuttle box or Cincinnati swimming maze tests, which assessed learning. Female brain weights were reduced in the STD-1 treatment group.     

Evaluation of the developmental toxicity of methacrylonitrile in Sprague-Dawley rats and New Zealand white rabbits

Timed-pregnant Sprague-Dawley (CD) outbred rats and New Zealand White rabbits were dosed by gavage with methacrylonitrile (MACR) in distilled water during major organogenesis. Rats were dosed on Gestational Days (GD) 6 through 15 (0, 5, 25, or 50 mg MACR/kg/day) and rabbits on GD 6 through 19 (0, 1, 3, or 5 mg MACR/kg/day). Maternal clinical status was monitored daily during treatment. At termination (GD 20, rats; GD 30, rabbits), confirmed-pregnant females (25-26 per group, rats; 17-22 per group, rabbits) were evaluated for clinical status and gestational outcome; each live fetus was examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In rats, no treatment-related maternal clinical signs or mortality were observed, nor was there any adverse effect on maternal body weight or food or water consumption. At necropsy, absolute, relative, and adjusted maternal liver weight was increased at the mid- and high-dose groups, an effect that may be indicative of induction of hepatic enzymes rather than toxicity. In the absence of any indication of maternal toxicity, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for maternal toxicity in this study was >/=50 mg MACR/kg/day. The NOAEL for developmental toxicity in rats was also >/=50 mg MACR/kg/day. There was no effect of treatment on postimplantation loss, mean fetal body weight per litter, or morphological development. In rabbits, maternal mortality and clinical signs were not dose related. Maternal food consumption, body weight, and liver weight were not adversely affected by treatment. Thus, the maternal NOAEL was >/=5 mg MACR/kg/day. Maternal toxicity, including death, was observed >/=7.5 mg/kg/day in preliminary studies. The developmental NOAEL was also >/=5 mg MACR/kg/day. There was no adverse effect of treatment on postimplantation loss or fetal body weight. A significant decrease in the percentage male fetuses per litter was observed, although there was no effect on total live litter size, suggesting that the reduction in the ratio of live male fetuses in the high-dose group was not biologically significant. MACR had no adverse effect on morphological development. In summary, oral administration of MACR to rats and rabbits during organogenesis, at doses that did not cause persistent maternal toxicity (50 mg MACR/kg/day, rats; 5 mg MACR/kg/day, rabbits), also did not cause any adverse developmental effects.     

Effectiveness of continuous intravenous prostaglandin E 1 against pulmonary hypertension]

Teratogenicity studies of methyl bromide, a widely used fumigant, were conducted in rats and rabbits. Methyl bromide was dissolved in corn oil and administered orally to groups of 24 copulated female Crj:CD (SD) rats at dose levels of 0 (corn oil), 3, 10 or 30 mg/kg/day on days 6-15 of gestation and to groups of 18 artificially inseminated female Kbl:JW rabbits at 0, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg/day on days 6-18 of gestation. Maternal rats and rabbits were euthanized on respective days 20 and 27 of gestation. Foetuses were examined for survival, growth and teratological alterations. Maternal toxicity was evident in the high-dose groups for both species. In these groups, maternal body weight gains and food consumption were significantly decreased during the dosing and post-dosing periods. Necropsy of maternal rats also revealed erosive lesions in the stomach and the surrounding organs. However, no treatment-related adverse effects were found in foetuses of the treated groups for both rat and rabbit studies. These results led to the conclusion that methyl bromide was not foetotoxic or teratogenic to rat and rabbit foetuses up to dose levels of 30 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively, at which maternal toxicity was evident for both species.     

Preincubation of thymocytes with 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7) induces apoptosis in non-stimulated thymocytes

Previous studies have reported that cocaine exposure in utero results in structural and functional alterations in the development of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). In the present study, the effects of maternal cocaine dosage and of cocaine-elicited maternal seizures on the progeny were studied. The incidence of maternal generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCSs) elicited by cocaine was recorded. No GTCSs were elicited in pregnant rabbits by doses of 2 or 3 mg/kg of cocaine, but GTCSs were sometimes elicited by the highest dose (4 mg/kg per injection). We analyzed the offspring of cocaine-exposed and control animals using three assays of ACC development: (i) the structure of apical dendrites of pyramidal neurons, (ii) the distribution of a calcium binding protein (parvalbumin) in the dendrites of GABAergic neurons, and (iii) coupling of D1-like receptors and their G proteins. In all progeny of rabbits exposed to 3 or 4 mg/kg of cocaine during pregnancy, there was a significant change in the structure of apical dendrites, a significant increase in the number of dendrites of GABAergic neurons which were parvalbumin immunoreactive, and a significant reduction in D1/G protein coupling. In assays of apical dendrites, the effects on offspring of rabbits given 2 mg/kg cocaine were as pronounced as in offspring of rabbits given 3 or 4 mg/kg, but the effects on parvalbumin immunoreactivity and D1/G protein coupling were reduced at this low dose. Thus, previous findings of ACC developmental abnormalities in offspring of rabbits given a dose of 4 mg/kg were replicated, the effects were shown to be dose-related and to be independent of maternal seizures. A mechanism by which dysfunction of the D1 receptor system could mediate cocaine-associated changes in all three parameters of ACC structure and function is discussed.     

Importance of metabolism in pharmacological studies: possible in vitro predictability

Groups of 20 male and 20 female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered undiluted Aquacoat ECD ethylcellulose aqueous dispersion by oral gavage at doses of 903, 2709 or 4515 mg/kg body weight/day (dry weight basis) for 90 days. Control animals received water at the same dosage volume as the high-dose group. Body weights and food consumption were recorded weekly. Blood was collected prior to study termination for haematology and clinical chemistry measurements. Survivors underwent complete necropsies on days 91 94. Selected organs were weighed and histologically examined. The only treatment-related clinical sign observed was pale faeces which was noted among males and females receiving 2709 and 4515 mg/kg/day Aquacoat ECD. No statistically significant differences in body weights, body weight gains, food consumption and organ weights were noted among males and females when compared with controls. No treatment-related effects in haematology parameters were noted. Significantly decreased total protein and globulin levels and increases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in male rats receiving 2709 and 4515 mg Aquacoat ECD/kg/day were considered to be treatment related. No gross or microscopic lesions were attributed to Aquacoat ECD treatment. Under the conditions of this study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for female rats is in excess of 4515 mg/kg/day: the NOAEL for male rats is 903 mg/kg/day.     

Individual and combined effects of fumonisin B1 present in Fusarium moniliforme culture material and diacetoxyscirpenol or ochratoxin A in turkey poults

The individual and combined effects of feeding diets containing 300 mg fumonisin B1 (FB1), and 4 mg diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) or 3 mg ochratoxin A (OA) were evaluated in two experiments using female turkey poults (Nicholas Large Whites) from day of hatch to 3 wk of age. When compared with controls, body weight gains were reduced 30% (Study 1) and 24% (Study 2) by FB1, 30% by DAS, 8% by OA, 46% by the FB1 and DAS combination, and 37% by the FB1 and OA combination. The efficiency of feed utilization was adversely affected by all treatments except FB1 in Experiment 2. Relative weights of the liver were significantly increased by all treatments except the DAS treatment. Serum concentrations of cholesterol were decreased and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were increased and several hematological values were altered in poults fed FB1 alone and in combination with either DAS or OA. Results indicate additive or less than additive toxicity, but not toxic synergy, when poults are fed diets containing 300 mg FB1, and 4 mg DAS or 3 mg OA/kg of diet. The likelihood of encountering FB1, DAS, or OA at these concentrations in finished feed is small. However, under field conditions, other stress factors could alter the impact of these mycotoxins on the health and performance of poultry.     

Gestational retinoic acid exposure: a sensitive period for effects on neonatal mortality and cerebellar development

This is the first in a series of studies investigating the developmental stage-specific neurobehavioral effects of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) exposure. Because high doses of this compound are known to be lethal to the developing organism, we first conducted a dose-response study to identify RA doses that produce low enough levels of gestational/postnatal mortality to make a behavioral analysis possible in survivors. Secondarily, at doses found to produce sufficient survivors on PND 28, effects on body and regional brain weights were examined. Finally, at these doses, effects on somatic malformations were evaluated. Four separate exposure periods were analyzed: gestational days (GD) 8 through 10, 11 through 13, 14 through 16, or postnatal days (PND) 3 through 5. In the postnatal exposure period rat pups were injected (s.c.) with three consecutive daily doses of 0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg RA on PND 3 through 5. This postnatal exposure had no detectable effect on survival, body or brain weight. In contrast, there was a marked sensitivity to RA in the GD 11-13 group. Many pups from dams given 10 mg/kg RA PO on GD 11-13 were found dead in the cage on the day of birth, and all surviving pups died within 4 days of birth. Examination of milkbands revealed no evidence of effective suckling in these short-term survivors. The same 10 mg/kg dose at GD 8-10 or GD 14-16 produced much lower mortality and pups appeared to suckle normally. To produce adequate PND 28 survival in the GD 11-13 group, it was necessary to reduce dosage to 2.5 mg/kg daily. Even this lower exposure produced effects on PND 28 body and brain weight, significantly lowering weights of body (84% of control), whole brain (94%), and cerebellum (90%). Cerebellar weight was also depressed as percent of whole brain weight, suggesting an effect focused specifically on this region. RA at 10 or 12.5 mg/kg over GD 14-16 also reduced cerebellar weight (92% and 91% of control, respectively). Thus, exposure on GD 14-16 had effects similar to those seen at GD 11-13, but only at considerably higher doses. In contrast, exposure to RA on GD 8-10 did not affect whole body or brain weight, and of eight brain regions examined, only brain stem weight was reduced (91% of control). The GD 8-10 exposure also differed substantially from later exposures in that it was the only treatment to produce substantial malformations, including exencephaly, eye and skeletal defects. We conclude that gestational exposure to RA produces lethality and regional brain stunting that is dose and developmental stage specific, with a pronounced sensitive period on GD 11-13. In contrast, the GD 8-10 period is most sensitive for production of malformations, albeit at somewhat higher doses.     

Protective effect of liposome encapsulation on paclitaxel developmental toxicity in the rat

Paclitaxel is an anticancer drug that has demonstrated severe embryotoxicity in chicks. This embryotoxicity is reduced by liposome encapsulation of the drug. The current study was designed to evaluate the potential of liposome encapsulation for reducing paclitaxel embryotoxicity in rats. Wistar rats were treated with paclitaxel on day 8 of pregnancy (plug = day 0) at doses of 0.67, 2.0, or 10.0 mg/kg intravenously. The same doses of paclitaxel encapsulated in liposomes were administered intravenously to other groups of animals. Control animals were given blank liposomes. Free paclitaxel produced maternal and embryotoxicity at 10.0 mg/kg with three of seven dams dying and resorption of all embryos in surviving dams. Liposome encapsulation at 10.0 mg/kg was not associated with maternal death and there were live fetuses on evaluation at term, although litter size was reduced and malformations occurred in surviving fetuses. At 2.0 mg/kg free paclitaxel, fetal weight was decreased and resorptions increased. Liposome encapsulation at 2.0 mg/kg produced litter results similar to those obtained in control animals given empty liposomes. Malformations were prominent at 2.0 mg/kg free paclitaxel and at 10.0 mg/kg paclitaxel in liposomes and included exencephaly/anencephaly, ventral wall defects, facial clefts, anophthalmia, diaphragmatic hernia, and defects of the kidney, cardiovascular system, and tail. Liposome encapsulation appeared to shift the developmental response to paclitaxel such that 10 mg/kg encapsulated drug produced effects similar to 2.0 mg/kg free drug. These results may have implications for drug delivery of therapeutic agents used during human pregnancy.