Effects of fusarenon-X, a trichothecene produced by Fusarium nivale, on pregnant mice and their fetuses.

Pregnant DDD female mice received fusarenon-X, a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by Fusarium nivale, by subcutaneous infection or mixed in the diet. An abortion was induced by a single injection of 0.63 to 2.6 mg/kg body weight, with increasing frequency and shortening of the latent period corresponding to the increasing doses given. When the mice were fed with diet containing 5, 10 or 20 ppm throughout pregnancy or early phase of pregnancy, fusarenon-X inhibited embryonal implantation. Seven day-feeding during the middle phase of pregnancy was sufficient to cause abortion in 100% of dams at the concentration of 20 ppm, and at 10 ppm, in 40% of dams. Fetal body weight and length were significantly reduced by administration of the toxin, especially when it was given in the middle or late phase of pregnancy. Teratogenic effects were not apparent as the result of these studies. Direct effect of fusarenon-X on the fetuses may be the cause of embryonal deaths and stillbirths as well as growth retardation.