The toxic and teratogenic effect of aflatoxin B1 on the chick embryo development.

The embryotoxic and teratogenic effect of aflatoxin B1 was tested on the chick embryo. Aflatoxin B1 was injected into the embryonic area in doses of 1/100 ppm and 1/500 ppm in the 96th h of incubation. Aflatoxin B1 toxicity caused a rise in the mortality rate from 6.6% (controls) to 35% in the chicken injected with 1/100 ppm aflatoxin B1 and to 26% in the lot given 1/500 ppm. Several malformations were also noticed: spina bifida, anophthalmia, maxillary retrognathism, distorted legs and evisceration; the group receiving 1/100 ppm aflatoxin B1 also showed bone development retardation of the wing, leg, maxilla and mandible.