Histologic changes in mice fed with staple food

Abstract

When mice were given staple food of seed quality corn and other cereals by subsistence farmers in Dhading and Bhaktapur areas in Nepal, histopathological changes were frequently found, particularly in the liver. All staple foods from Nepal were severely polluted with mould but only in one sample deoxynivalenol (DON) was found. (The most common liver changes, but to a lesser degree, were also found in the mice given seed quality corn with or without vitamin/mineral mixture.)

Kidney lesions such as tubulonephrosis, suspected parenchymatous degeneration, nonpurulent nephrosis or chronic pyelonephritis were found in mice given Nepalese corn and in the oats group.

In some groups there were histopathological findings like pronounced hyperkeratosis, papillary epithelial surface with hypergranulosis or uneven macropapillary surface observed in the distal part of the oesophagus and in the forestomach.

Because of the similar handling of nutrients for humans and mice, it is suggested that the results of this study be considered when nutritional surveys are made in less developed countries.