Reproductive and teratological effects of continuous low-level dietary T-2 toxin in female CD-1 mice for two generations

Abstract

A two-generation female reproduction and teratology study was undertaking using 0, 1.5 and 3.0 ppm of T-2 toxin in a semisynthetic diet. Conception rate was lowest at the first breeding and lowest in the control group at this time, but in later breedings the conception rates of each group were very similar. No significant differences were noted in litter size, death of fetuses, sex of fetuses and gestational length. Feed consumption was similar in all groups, as were the non-pregnant or pregnant female weight gains. Although the second-generation offspring grew faster than the first-generation offspring, and significantly lower body weights were seen in the 3.0 ppm T-2 toxin group at 2, 5 and 6 weeks of age, all offspring reached the normal weight for CD-1 mice at 6 weeks of age. Gross and histological evaluation of all animals at post-mortem examination did not reveal any significant results, nor were there significant differences in major and minor or retardation defects among the treatment groups. Relative spleen weights of the second-generation offspring were significantly higher in control females compared with the treated groups but treated males had significantly increased relative spleen weights compared with control males of this generation. It was concluded that no long-term reproductive and teratological effects of low-dose dietary T-2 toxin were found in this study.