Pathogenic effects of Fusarium sulphureum, Fusarium solani Var. coeruleum and dry rot affected potatoes on the internal organs of rats.

Rats of the Wistar race were used in toxicological experiments involving Fusarium sulphureum Schl., F. solani var. coeruleum (Sacc.) Booth and potatoes damaged by these fungi. The in vivo and postmortem studies revealed that both fungi and effected tubers had hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects on the animals. Morphological changes in the internal organs were mainly manifested by disturbances in blood circulation and regressive metamorphosis. These changes intensified proportionally to the dose of fungi and diseased potatoes in the feed used. Fusarium solani was more pathogenic than F. sulphureum. No teratogenic effect was observed, although addition of the fungi and infested potatoes into the feeds decreased the reproductive ability of rats and caused a decrease in foetal body weight as well as haematomae in foetuses.