Sex differences in renal damage induced in the rat by the Finnish mushroom, Cortinarius speciosissimus.

The sensitivity of male and female rats to Cortinarius speciosissimus toxins was compared. Dried, homogenized mushroom was given orally by stomach tubing at a dose of 250 mg dried mushroom/kg body weight. Both in males and in females, the kidneys were the only organs showing macroscopical changes. Sex differences in renal damage were observed in the area of the inner cortex.