Embryotoxicity of 4-deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) in mice

The teratogenic potential of vomitoxin is at present unknown, therefore this study was conducted to assess the embryotoxic effects of vomitoxin in pregnant mice. In this study vomitoxin manifested a specific lethal effect on the mouse embryo associated with or without maternal vaginal bleeding but with no apparent maternal toxicity at the 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg doses. Multiple teratogenic effects occurred at the 2.5 and 5 mg/kg doses but no adverse effects were observed at the 0.5 mg/kg dose.