The toxicity of fumonisin B1, B2, and B3, individually and in combination, in chicken embryos

Department of Poultry Science, The University of Georgia, Athens 30602, USA.

Three recently described and toxicologically important mycotoxins, fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), and fumonisin B3 (FB3), produced by Fusarium moniliforme in various grains, have been associated with a number of diseases in both humans and animals. The toxicity of purified FB1, FB2, and FB3, individually and in combination (3:1:1 ratio), were evaluated with regard to their embryo toxicity by injection of the toxins into the air cell of chicken eggs at 72 h of incubation. Under these conditions, FB1 at doses of 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 microg per egg resulted in embryonic mortality of 5, 12.5, 17.5, 20.0, 52.5, 77.5, and 100%, respectively. The 50% lethal dose for FB1, when injected into the air cell of embryonating chicken eggs, was determined to be 18.73 microg per egg. A comparison of the toxicity of FB1, FB2, and FB3, individually and in combination (3:1:1 ratio), at doses of 16 microg of total fumonisin per egg, indicated that the toxicity of the fumonisins differed, FB1 being the most toxic. Microscopic examination of chicken embryos exposed to fumonisin did not reveal any gross developmental abnormalities; however, severe hemorrhages of the head, neck, and thoracic area of the dead embryos were evident.