zearalenol and Swine-Diseases

The aim of the study was to determine how a low dose of zearalenone applied orally for eight days influences the level of zearalenone (ZEN) and alpha-zearalenole in blood plasma and causes the occurrence of histopathological changes in the cells of the ovarian follicles in sexually immature gilts. The animals were divided into 2 groups (control, C; n = 4 and experimental, E; n = 4). The gilts from group E were treated daily with zearalenone at a dose of 200 microg/kg b.w. The level of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenole (ZON as the sum of the levels of both zearalenone and alpha-zearalenole) was measured daily. On day eight of the experiment the animals were sacrificed and their ovaries were taken for histopathological examination. The tissue sections obtained were HE- and PAS-stained according to McManus. The presence of PCNA antigen was also estimated. The highest concentration of ZON was noted on day 5 in group E (8.16 +/- 2.49 ng/ml). External estrus symptoms without standing reflex were observed in group E on day 4. In group C there were no pathological changes in the ovaries. In group E, a few ovarian follicles were found, but they were located in the cortical layer. They were filled with a liquid substance rich in protein and without the granulosa layer. There was disintegration with apoptotic-like changes of the PCNA-negative cells in the granulosa layer of single mature follicles. On day 4 the dose of zearalenone caused disturbances in the process of development and maturation of some of the best developed ovarian follicles. This probably occurred through the activation of on apoptosis-like process of the granulosa cells with simultaneous manifestation of estrus without standing reflex.

Topics: Animals; Female; Mycotoxicosis; Ovarian Follicle; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zearalenone; Zeranol

Although zearalenone-induced reproductive disorders and the clinical appearance of hyperestrogenism were reproduced and documented quite often the role of zearalenone-contaminated fodder as a cause for fertility problems in sow breeding is still discussed controversial. Therefore the correlation of zearalenone and zearalenone-derivatives in bile (n = 794) and feed (n = 158) with fertility problems of unknown origin was investigated in this study. For the analysis of zearalenone and its derivatives in bile a HPLC/EIA combination was used. On the one hand, this procedure guaranteed the quantitatively reproducible detection, on the other hand, the investigation expenditure could be kept small with regard to a later effort in the routine diagnostics. The detection limits for zearalenone, alpha- and beta-zearalenol in bile were at 1.0 ng/ml, 1.0 ng/ml, and 3.0 ng/ml, respectively. Results were confirmed by GC-MS. Zearalenone and zearalenone-derivatives were detected in almost every bile analysed. The contamination rate was 96.2%. In opposition to recent investigations beta-zearalenol was perceived as a relevant metabolite in swine. The contamination rate of feeding stuffs was 25.9%. Incubation of samples with beta-glucosidase did not elevate the detected amounts of zearalenone. As the measurable concentrations in bile and fodder were only slightly correlated the analysis of bile represents a reasonable alternative for fodder investigation. However, a correlation between the occurrence of zearalenone, alpha- and beta-zearalenol in bile of sows and non-infectious reproductive disorders could not be established at the loading level found. These results are in line with those statements obtained in feeding experiments regarding the risk evaluation of zearalenone in sow reproduction.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bile; Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; Female; Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Female; Swine; Swine Diseases; Zearalenone; Zeranol