Effect of the appetite stimulant cyproheptadine on deoxynivalenol-induced reductions in feed consumption and weight gain in the mouse.

Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin), a Fusarium mycotoxin, is suspected of inducing its anorectic/feed refusal activity through a serotoninergic (5HT) mechanism, possible via 5HT2-receptors. In this study the efficiency of cyproheptadine (CYP), a serotonin antagonist and known appetite stimulant, to attenuate the adverse effect of DON was investigated in mice. CYP was administered in the feed for two days before animals began receiving the DON, which was also added to the feed.

Biological fate of fumonisin B1 in food-producing animals.

The presence of mycotoxins in grains and feedstuffs causes not only animal health problems, but also a valid concern about the transmission of potentially toxic residues into animal-derived products intended for human consumption. In a series of studies at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, we investigated the biological fate of fumonisin B1 (FB1) in several food-producing animals (grower pigs, laying hens, dairy cattle), as well as monitored various parameters for evidence of toxicity in these species. In several experiments involving either single-dose protocols (iv, po) or longer-term feeding trials, the pharmacokinetic profiles of FB1 (purity > 95%) in these species were determined, including tissue accumulation and transmission of residues.

Lines of mice selected for reproductive longevity.

Two lines of mice selected for reproductive longevity were compared with one unselected control line to examine longevity and lifetime performance such as number of parturitions during lifetime. Mice were pair mated at about 8 weeks of age and cohabited throughout life. Litter size was reduced to eight at birth in selected line 121 and unselected control line 221, but not in selected line 141.