The effects of cyclopiazonic acid on pregnancy and fetal development of Fischer rats

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Abstract
To assess the potential effect of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) on pregnancy and fetal development, Fischer-344 rats were dosed daily with 0, 1, 5 or 10 mg CPA/kg body wt on days 8-11 or 12-15 of pregnancy (sperm day = day 1). There were significant (P < 0.05) decreases in feed consumption by high-dose dams of both groups. One high-dose rat in each group died prior to term, and signs of toxicity were observed in other high-dose animals. Animals that died had histologic lesions in the liver, spleen, kidney and other organs. Remaining dams were killed on day 21. Compared to controls, there were no significant differences in pup weights, percentage pre- or postimplantation losses or fetal deaths. Significant differences in skeletal development included retardation of ossification of cervical centra (days 12-15) and caudal vertebrae (days 8-11) in the 2 highest dose groups. Retardations of development were the most common manifestations of embryotoxicity. Since significant maternal toxicity occurred at the highest dose level in the absence of fetal malformations, the teratogenic potential of CPA was low.