However the mechanism of OTA transfer across the human
placenta is not completely known . OTA in breast
milk was found to affect the kidney function and the development
of urinary tumors in infants and young children . The presence of OTA has been related to congenital defects in the fetus
of experimental species; however, both the potential of OTA to
cause malformations in humans and its teratogenic mechanism of
action are not understood. studied the effect
of simultaneous prenatal exposure to OTA and AFB1 in rats,
revealing that these mycotoxins alone and in combination caused
various gross, skeletal, and visceral anomalies. In addition new
manifestations, such as gastroschisis and syndactyly were found
and the incidence of cardiac defects was increased in fetuses after
the combined treatment. Nevertheless, prolonged exposure to OTA,
in particular during the organogenesis period, can be the cause of
the mutations and histopatologic alterations observed in rabbit
fetuses