SUB-ACUTE TOXICITY OF DIETARY T-2 TOXIN IN MICE - MORPHOLOGICAL AND HEMATOLOGICAL EFFECTS

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (2) , 203-218
Abstract
Changes in hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues of young Swiss mice fed a balanced semipurified diet containing T-2 toxin [from Fusarium] (20 ppm) were examined after 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 wk. During the first 3 weeks of exposure to T-2 toxin, lymphoid tissues, bone marrow and splenic red pulp became hypoplastic, resulting in anemia, lymphopenia and eosinopenia. Subsequently, during continued exposure to T-2 toxin, hematopoietic cells regenerated in bone marrow and splenic red pulp and became hyperplastic by 6 wk. Granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis resumed in advance of erythropoiesis. All lymphoid tissues remained atrophic throughout the 6 wk trial. Mice exposed to T-2 toxin also developed perioral dermatitis and hyperkeratosis with ulceration of the mucosa of the esophageal region of the stomach. Young mice were susceptible to both the irritant and the hematopoietic-suppressive toxic effects of dietary T-2 toxin. Suppression of hematopoiesis was transient and did not lead to hematopoietic failure.