Studies on teratogenic and maternal effects of Trichothecene (TCT) extracted from Fusarium and Trichoderma culture on pregnant Albino Mice

Abstract

Mycotoxins (frequently referred to as secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi) are commonly found in foodstuffs and are essential because of their association with disease. The current study investigated the teratogenic potential characteristics of T-2 trichothecenes mycotoxins produced by Fusarium and Trichoderma, which are reportedly toxic to humans and animals in pregnant mice. T-2 toxin is a cytotoxic secondary fungal metabolite that belongs to the trichothecene mycotoxin family. T2 was administered intraperitoneally to Pregnant females as a single injection at levels of 50, 75,100, and 125 ppb on one of the gestation days 7-11 during the pregnancy period. A significant reduction in mean fetal body weight and various fetal malformations (i.e., external and skeletal) were observed following maternal exposure to T2. This is the first report to implicate this mycotoxin T -2 as a teratogen in our region. Our study revealed that T-2 toxin 125 ppm exposure was enough to cause abortion in pregnant mice within several days. Keywords: T2 toxin, trichothecenes, mycotoxins, fungi, pregnant mice