Comparative assessment of the aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1 embryotoxicity in the chick embryo.

The embryotoxicity of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and M1 was investigated after administration to chick embryos on either Day 2, 3 or 4. Treatment resulted mainly in embryolethality and a rank order for embryotoxicity was established where B1 greater than G1 greater than M1 = B2 greater than G2. The sensitivity of embryos to aflatoxin administration decreased with their age. These results document the general cytotoxic character of aflatoxin action upon the embryonic morphogenetic systems, actions that apparently require neither specific metabolic activation nor any specific target.