The effect of administration of a single dose of T-2 toxin on blood coagulation in the rabbit.

The single intravenous administration of T-2 toxin to rabbits at a dosage of 0.5 mg per kg body weight produced an alteration in several blood coagulation parameters. The activities of factors VII, VIII, IX, X and XI were decreased by approximately 40% six hours after T-2 toxin administration. Plasma fibrinogen concentration became elevated within 24 hours after T-2 toxin exposure. Circulating platelet numbers were unaffected by T-2 toxin administration. The similarity of coagulation parameter changes induced by T-2 toxin in animals receiving daily subcutaneous injections of vitamin K (0.5 mg per kg body weight) and those in nonvitamin K supplemented animals suggests that T-2 toxin does not function as a vitamin K antagonist.