Abstract
The mycotoxin, ochratoxin A (OA), is a potentin vivo teratogen. Studies were performed to determine thein vitro effects of OA on postimplantation rat embryos. Embryos were explanted from pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on day 10 of gestation and were cultured (within the yolk sac) for 45 hr in gassed rat serum containing OA at concentrations between 0 and 300 μg/mL. Gross morphology, histopathology and protein and DNA content of embryos were evaluated. An OA concentration-dependent reduction in yolk sac diameter, crownrump length, somite number count, and protein and DNA content was observed. Ochratoxin A treatment also resulted in an increase in the incidence of defective embryos. Malformations included: growth retardation, hypoplasia of the telencephalon, poor flexion, stunted limb bud development, underdeveloped sensory primordia and decreased mandibular and maxillary size. Histological examination demonstrated extensive OA-induced necrosis of embryonal mesodermal structures and neuroectoderm. Thus, the rat embryo in culture is a sensitive indicator of OA toxicity and may be useful for predicting developmental hazards associated with this mycotoxin.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ballinger MB, Phillips TD, Kubena LF (1986) Assessment of the distribution and elimination of ochratoxin A in the pregnant rat. J Food Safety 8:11–24
Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for quantification of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Biochem 72:248–254
Brown MH, Szczech GM, Purmalis BP (1976) Teratogenic and toxic effects of ochratoxin A in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 37:331–338
Chu FS (1974) Studies on ochratoxins. CRC Crit Rev Toxicol 2:499–524
Edwards AL (1954) Statistical methods for the behavioral sciences, Rinehart, New York, pp 246–277
Gilani SH, Bancroft J, O'Rahily M (1975) The teratogenic effects of ochratoxin A in the chick embryo. Teratology 11:18A(abst)
Hayes AW, Hood RD, Lee HL (1974) Teratogenic effects of ochratoxin A in mice. Teratology 9:93–97
Hood RD, Naughton MJ, Hayes AW (1976) Prenatal effects of ochratoxin A in hamsters. Teratology 13:11–14
Hult K, Plestina R, Habazin-Novak V, Radic B, Ceovic S (1982) Ochratoxin A in human blood and Balkan endemic nephropathy. Arch Toxicol 51:313–321
Jarvis B (1982) The occurrence of mycotoxins in UK foods. Food Technol Aust 34:508–514
Kitchin KT, Schmid BP, Sanyal MK (1986) Rodent whole-embryo culture as a teratogen screening method. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 8:291–301
Krogh P (1977) Ochratoxins In: Rodricks JV, Hessseltine CW, Mehlman MA (eds) Mycotoxins in Human and Animal Health, Pathotox, Illinois, pp 489–498
Krogh P, Hald B, Plestina R, Ceovic S (1977) Balkan (endemic) nephropathy and foodborne ochratoxin A: Preliminary results of a survey of foodstuffs. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand (B) 85:238–240
Labarca C, Paigen K (1980) A simple, rapid and sensitive DNA assay procedure. Anal Biochem 102:344–352
Lin GHY (1987) Prediction of teratogenic potential and a proposed scheme for teratogenicity screening of industrial research and development materials. In Vitro Toxicol 1(3):203–217
Mayura K, Reddy RV, Hayes AW, Berndt WO (1982) Embryocidal, fetotoxic and teratogenic effects of ochratoxin in rats. Toxicology 25:175–185
Mayura K, Parker R, Berndt WO, Phillips TD (1984a) Effect of simultaneous prenatal exposure to ochratoxin A and citrinin in the rat. J Toxicol Environ Hlth 13:553–561
— (1984b) Ochratoxin A-induced teratogenesis in rats: Partial protection by phenylalanine. Appl Environ Microbiol 48:1186–1188
Mayura K, Stein AF, Berndt WO, Phillips TD (1984c) Teratogenic effects of ochratoxin A in rats with impaired renal function. Toxicology 32:277–285
More J, Galtier P (1974) Toxicite de I'ochratoxine A. I. Effect embryotoxique et teratogene chez le rat. Ann Rech Vet 5:167
New DAT (1978) Whole embryo culture and the study of mammalian embryos during organogenesis. Biol Rev 53:81–122
Schmid BP, Goulding E, Kitchin K, Sanyal MK (1981) Assessment of the teratogenic potential of acrolein and cyclophosphamide in a rat embryo culture system. Toxicology 22:235–243
Schmid BP, Cicurel L (1986) Application of the post-implantation rat embryo culture system toin vitro teratogenicity testing. Food Chem Toxicol 24:623–626
Scott PM, Van Walbeek W, Kennedy B, Anyeti D (1972) Mycotoxins (ochratoxin A, citrinin and sterigmatocystin) and toxigenic fungi in grains and other agricultural products. J Agric Food Chem 20:1103–1109
Steel RGD, Torrie JH (1960) Principles and procedures of statistics, McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 67–87
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Mayura, K., Edwards, J.F., Maull, E.A. et al. The effects of ochratoxin A on postimplantation rat embryos in culture. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 18, 411–415 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062366
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01062366