To investigate the effects of Fusarium mycotoxin on lymphoid tissue and immune function, fusarenon-X(a trichothecene mycotoxin) was intraperitoneally administered to mice. Severe atrophy of thymic cortex and almost complete depletion of CD4 and CD8 double positive thymocytes were observed in higher dosage group.Lymphocytes in T cell dependent area of spleen somewhat decreased in number and interleukin-2 producibility of spleen cells was slightly lowered.
(Lab. of Chronic Toxicity, Feed Safety Research Division)
