Teratogenicity of ochratoxin A in chick embryos.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to evaluate the teratogenic potential of ochratoxin A given to developing chick embryos. Ochratoxin A was dissolved in propylene glycol and injected into embryonating chicken eggs at doses ranging from 0.0005 to 0.007 mg/egg. The injections were made into the air sacs of eggs after 48, 72, and 96 hr of incubation (Groups A, B, and C). Control eggs were injected with an equivalent volume of propylene glycol (0.1 ml/egg). In all, 720 chicken eggs were used for this study. All embryos were examined at Day 8. The LD50 for embryos in Groups A, B, and C was 0.0007, 0.003, and 0.007 mg/egg, respectively. The following malformations were observed: short and twisted limbs, short and twisted neck, microphthalmia, exencephaly, everted viscera, and reduced body size. Microscopic examination of whole embryos treated at 48 hr (Group A) showed ventricular septal defects, aortic stenosis, and malformations of the valves. The results of the present study indicate that ochratoxin A is teratogenic.