Studies on Apoptotic Changes in Combined Toxicity of Citrinin and Endosulfan in Pregnant Wistar Rats and Their Fetuses

BACKGROUND: Citrinin (mycotoxin) and endosulfan (pesticide) both environmental contaminants easily enter the food chain and are caoomon causes of various toxicities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present investigation, citrinin (CIT) (10 mg/kg feed) and endosulfan (1 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally alone and in combination to pregnant Wistar rats from gestational day 6 to 20 to study their effect to cause apoptosis in the pregnant Wistar rats and their fetuses. Apoptosis was assessed in dams by agarose gel electrophoresis, flow cytometry and electron microscopy, while in the fetuses it was assessed by flow cytometry only. RESULT: Citrinin and endosulfan in the combination group caused apoptosis in an additive manner as there was increased number of apoptotic cells as compared to the individual toxin and control groups. The fetuses also showed increased number of apoptotic cells in the combination groups, which also indicated that both the toxins crossed the placental barrier. CONCLUSION: So it was concluded that apoptosis played a significant role in the pathogenesis of endosulfan and citrinin toxicity.