Subacute toxicological evaluation of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in rats.

Weanling Wistar rats of both sexes were fed diets containing 0 (control), 1% and 5% ground sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum derived from infected rapeseed (Brassica napus). Body weight, feed consumption and clinical appearance were monitored over an 84-day period. Blood samples were collected on days 41 and 84 and necropsies performed on day 84. Weight gain and feed consumption were similar in the control and 1% groups. In the 5% group, weight gain was depressed, feed wastage was greater and at termination more than half the rats were in poor body condition with alopecia and hyperkeratosis of the tail. These effects were probably nutritional and due to unpalatability of the diet. Blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose concentrations did not vary consistently among the groups. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly depressed (p less than 0.001) by consumption of sclerotia. This depression was dose-related and consistent on days 41 and 84. There were no significant differences (p greater than 0.05) between groups in the ratios of liver weight and kidney weight to body weight.