Neurophysiological and behavioral effects of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol and fumonisin

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding blends of wheat grains naturally contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and maize products contaminated with Fusarium (FUM) mycotoxins on brain regional concentration of brain dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) in hippocampus, mid brain, cortex, striatum, pons and medulla and cerebellum of male albino mice. Daily feeding of wheat or maize grains contaminated with deoxynivalenol in a dose level (803 μg/kg) or fumonisin in a dose level (1330 ppb) for six weeks caused highly significant increase in dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT ) contents, in most of the studied mice brain areas. When all the studied brain areas were compared, it can be concluded that hypothalamusdopamine concentration was more sensitive towards the studied toxicants. On the other hand, except for norepinephrine in pons and medulla oblongata, there was a significant increase in epinipherine and serotonin levels at all the studied brain areas. Maximal concentration, however, was attained in the cortex for both neurotransmitters. Additionally, rearing behavior was found to increase following feed intake of the test feed and deoxynivalenol was found to modulate more behavioral disturbances as compared with fuminisin. The data recorded also showed a highly significant increase in the aggressive and locomotor behavior of the intoxicated albino mice.