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Deoxynivalenol is one of mycotoxins that are most frequently determined in animal feed manufactured in Poland. The examination of histopathological lesions concomitant with deoxynivalenol intoxication is difficult because of the common, often synergistic, reaction of this mycotoxin with other toxins, such as zearalenone or ochratoxin A, which has a strong nephrotoxic activity. The possibility of estimating histopathological lesions in the course of intoxication with pure toxin at various doses is therefore of interest. Dosages used in this experiment relate to clinical cases observed in feeding the animals with whole ration feed obtained by processing feedingstuffs contaminated with Fusarium moulds. However, concerning the fact of one-shot administration of clinically pure toxin, the main question was if it was a sufficient dose to cause changes in the histopathological picture of gastrointestinal tract organs. The experiment was carried out on 12 nursery pigs of mixed breed (Polish White Large x Polish White Ear-pendent) with an average body weigh of 35 kg. The experimental nursery pigs were divided into 3 groups: group I (n=4)--control; group II (n=4)--DON administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg b.w.; group III (n=4)--DON administered at a dose of 0.4 mg/kg b.w. After slaughter of the animals, macroscopic examination was performed and segments of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, liver and mesenteric lymph nodes were sampled and assigned for histopathological examination. The results obtained equate to the clinically observed signs in swine production involving some nutrient metabolism disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract in the course of deoxynivalenol mycotoxicosis. Histopathological examination of segments of the duodenum, the jejunum, the ileum, the liver and the lymph nodes indicate that the regressive lesions are more expressed in the experimental group treated with the highest concentration of deoxynivalenol.

Fusarium spp. moulds are common in moderate climate regions of North America, Asia and Europe. They produce hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic mycotoxins, acting like estrogens, impairing hemopoesis and immunosuppressing. Actively dividing skin cells, lymphatic tissue, haemopoetic tissue and gastrointestinal tissue are the most sensitive for these trichothecenes action. The mucosal membrane of the gastrointestinal tract is the first barrier of the organism contacting with foreign antigens like feed proteins, natural toxins, saprophytic and pathogenic microflora and mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to perform histological estimation of the porcine small intestine after short term intoxication with low doses of deoxynivalenol (DON), T-2 toxin (T-2) and zearalenone (ZEA) obtained from wheat naturally contaminated with Fusarium moulds. Experimental pigs (n=5) were fed for 14 days feed containing DON, T-2 and ZEA (28.9, 11.5 and 33.2 microg kg(-1) of feed). On the last day of the experiment, the animals were euthanised and samples of the jejunum were collected for histological examination. In the experimental pigs, normally developed intestinal villi and crypts were found. However, number of acidophilic granulocytes in the mucous membrane and decreased numbers of goblet cells, increased numbers of endothelial lymphocytes and numerous plasma cells in intestinal epithelium was observed. On the surface of the intestinal epithelium the glycocalyx was poorly developed. The results obtained suggest that short term intoxication with low doses of DON, T-2 and ZEA does not cause significant changes in the histological structure of the small intestine in the pig. However, low concentrations of DON, T-2 and ZEA probably influence enterocytes metabolism and evoke inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine.

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.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium. It evokes disruptions in sex cycle and changes in the morphology of the reproductive organs in pigs. The morphology and ultrastructure of the small intestine mucosa were assessed after the course of the experimental zearalenone mycotoxicosis. During the experiment, pigs were fed feed containing low doses of ZEA. The experiment lasted 7 days and it was carried out on sexually immature gilts that were divided into 3 groups: control group (C) and 2 experimental groups (E1, E2; n=8). Groups E1 and E2 were given ZEA every day at a dose of 200 and 400 microg/kg b.w. The samples of tissues were taken for examinations after the slaughter on the last day of the experiment. No significant changes in the morphology of the intestinal mucosa were found in the experimental animals. Increased activity of the goblet cells and high content of mucinogen vesicles, lymphocytic infiltration, increased activity of endocrine cells and the presence of Paneth cells on the bottom of intestinal crypts, which sugest mobilisation of the local defence mechanisms in the intestinal mucosa, were obseved in group E2.

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a member of macrocyclic lactons family. It is a toxin--phytosteride produced by fungi of Fusarium ssp. genus. Zearalenone contaminates food and animal feeding stuffs and its destruction is difficult. It requires application of particular compounds that would bind zearalenone in the feed or feeding stuff or in the gastrointestinal tract and decrease its bio-accessibility. It should also fulfil all the safety requirements regarding the plant supplements and animals that are fed with this feed. The aim of the study was to estimate if the feed supplemented with different doses of zearalenone and zearalenone destructor causes changes of the metabolic profile in gilts. The results obtained show that applied destructor did not cause negative haematological and biochemical changes in the blood of the gilts examined. It can be suggested that it is a safe feed supplement pigs in prevention of zearalenone micotoxicosis.