Effect of zearalenone on morphological features of ovaries in young gilts

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of zearalenone, Fix-A-Tox and Mycofix Plus on ovarian morphology in 60-day-old gilts. The investigations of ovarian tissues were performed on gilts divided into 5 groups (n = 3), depending on the level of feed contamination with natural and/or crystal zearalenone and/or no addition of Fix-A-Tox, the mycotoxin absorber and Mycofix Plus causing ZEN chemical degradation. The ovaries in the control groups (K1 and K2) had a thick cortex layer with numerous primary ovarian follicles and growing ovarian follicles of various sizes. In group K2, some of them displayed oocyte destruction, as well as deformation and wall fibrosis of follicles. In the experimental groups (Dl, D2 and D3) the morphology of the ovaries showed the correlation between the level of feed contamination with ZEN and added agents F-A-T or Mycofix Plus. In the ovaries of group D1 numerous growing follicles were visible. Some of them, with visible ovarian cavum and follicular fluid, were multi-egged (2-46 of gametes in one follicle). The ovaries were characterized by the highest average weight and size in group D2. The cortex of these ovaries was strongly fibrous and the primary and multi-egged follicles suffered degeneration and atrophy. All ovaries in group D3 demonstrated degeneration and atrophy as well as the presence of numerous basophilic infiltration. The obtained data indicate the influence of crystalline and natural zearalenon on normal growth and maturation of ovarian follicles in young gilts. Due to the observed changes we cannot exclude the influence of Mycofix Plus in group D3.