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Consumption of ochratoxin-contaminated feed (10 mg/kg) by young rabbits for 90 days altered total and differential counts of WBC. Time dependent decline in WBC count indicates occurrence of cumulative toxicity.

A saline suspension of RBC when incubated with an increasing concentration (1 to 10 micrograms/ml) of crude ochratoxin at 37 degrees C for 16 hr showed a marked alteration in morphological characters followed by hemolysis. The effect was more pronounced with higher concentration of toxin. The result suggests extreme cytotoxic effect of ochratoxin on RBC leading to its lysis.

Protective effect of sex steroid hormones on aflatoxin-induced cytotoxicity on RBC (hemolysis) was examined in vitro. Addition of aflatoxin (2 micrograms/ml) in RBC suspension caused significant increase in hemolysis. Concurrent addition of aflatoxin (2 micrograms/ml) and estradiolbenzoate (100-1200 pg/ml) in RBC suspension significantly retarded aflatoxin-induced hemolysis. Similarly, addition of aflatoxin (2 micrograms/ml) along with testosterone propionate (5-60 ng/ml) in RBC suspension retarded aflatoxin-induced hemolysis. Among the two synthetic hormones studied estradiolbenzoate was more potent than testosterone propionate.