The level of zearalenone and a-zearalenol in the blood of gilts with clinical symptoms of toxicosis, fed diets with a low zearalenone content

摘要

Twenty-four immature hybrid gilts (Large Polish x Polish Landrace) were randomly divided into three groups in order to determine zearalenone (ZEA) and a-zearalenol concentrations in blood after feeding them with feeds containing low doses of crystalline zearalenone (groups II and III, 200 and 400 mug kg(-1) body weight, respectively). The mycotoxin was administered in gelatine capsules once a day during the morning feeding (at 6.30) for seven consecutive days. On the first day of the experiment, 5.5 h after feeding, the concentration of ZEA was the highest in group II (9.43 +/- 1.32 ng ml(-1)), and the concentration of alpha-ZEA was the highest in group III in the second hour of the experiment (24.13 +/- 5.98 ng ml(-1)). Mean concentrations of ZEA were: 1.54 +/- 0.16 up to 9.92 +/- 0.80 ng ml(-1) (H) and 2.34 +/- 0.33 up to 10.90 +/- 0.93 ng ml(-1) (III), respectively, whereas mean concentrations of alpha-ZEA were: 2.86 +/- 0.23 up to 8.11 +/- 0.60 ng ml(-1) (II) and 4.48 +/- 0.22 up to 17.79 +/- 2.19 ng ml(-1) (III), respectively. It was found that administering a LOAEL (Lowest Observable Adverse Effect Level) dose of ZEA per os caused weakly manifested symptoms of hyperoestrogenism, whereas swelling and reddening of the vulva were much stronger at a dose double the LOAEL dose. There was no distinct positive correlation between the level of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol in blood and the occurrence of the external symptoms of hyperoestrogenism.