Abstract

Twenty four female gerbils were alloted into 4 groups and each group consisted of 6 animals. Group A was fed with standard diet used as control. Groups B, C and D were fed with diets respectively containing 2,5 %, 5 % and 10 % concentrations of dried ground cultures of Penicillium viridicatum. Three gerbils from each group were killed at the end of 5 and 12 week feeding period respectively. No clinical sign was observed in test groups, other than decrease of body weight. Gross lesions were observed in animals which were killed.at the end of 12 week feeding period. Lesions included hydropic degeneration, hemorrhages, and necrosis of perirenal fatty tissue. The renal parenchyma showed the feature of toxicosis. Microscopic lesions of degeneration, hemorrhages, necrosis and inflammatory cells infiltration of perirenal tissue. The kidney showed focal dilatation and collapse of tubulus.