Mycotoxins and fetal abnormalities

Abstract

Certain mycotoxins produced by the common microfungi, belonging to the Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium and other species, can induce in experimental animals various fetal anomalies. The possibility has to be considered that ingestion by the prospective parents, or by pregnant or lactating women of food and drink made from agricultural products contaminated by mycotoxins (such as aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, T‐2 toxin, zearalenone, etc.) may induce abnormalities in their offspring. Vitamin deficiencies of the pregnant female whether due to diet or medication could aggravate the effects of such agents on the fetus.