Short-term effects of two fusarium toxins, diacetoxyscirpenol and neosolaniol monoacetate, in male Wistar rats

This study compared the pathological and haematological effects of neosolaniol monoacetate in male Wistar rats with those of diacetoxyscirpenol, a highly toxic trichothecene mycotoxin. Both toxins caused statistically significant decreases in erythrocyte counts and increased the proportion of larger platelets compared to controls when dosed at 1 mg/kg body weight three times/wk for up to 5 wk. Lesions caused by treatment with either toxin at this dosage level were mild and were seen--mainly after 2-4 wk--in the actively dividing cells of the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and bone marrow. Reduced severity or disappearance of the lesions was noted towards the end of the treatment period. The type and severity of the toxic effects of neosolaniol monoacetate appeared to be similar to those of diacetoxyscirpenol.