Medycyna Wet. 62 (1), 43-46, 2006
Kutra J., Šiukščius A., Urbšys A., Pileckas V., Nainienė R., Mankevičienė A.
Effects of zearalenone and Toxy-Nil Plus Dry on physiological responses of boar semen
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the mycotoxin zearalenone as well as the detoxicating product Toxy-Nil Plus Dry (TNPD) on the quality of boar semen. Thirteen Lithuanian White boars, 10 months of age and weighing 150 to 155 kg were used in the experiment and allotted to three groups. Every boar was offered 6 kg of compound feed containing 78% of barley meal and 22% of protein-vitamin- -mineral premix (PVMP). Boars in the experimental groups were given feed containing zearalenone (0.57 mg/ /kg) for 32 days and detoxicated (1 kg TNPD per 1000 kg of feed) feeds. In a week following the administration of zearalenone-containing feeds to the boars, the volume of ejaculation had decreased by 40.8 % (P < 0.005) compared with the control group. The lowest initial spermatozoa motility in the semen collected during intoxication was determined in the group of boars receiving zearalenone-containing feed (3.9 ± 1.79 points, P = 0.01). On replacement of the contaminated feed, the motility of spermatozoa recovered within a week and amounted to 7.0 ± 0.55 points. The negative effect of TNPD on spermatozoa was noted during the recovery period. The total quantity of pathologic spermatozoa in a corresponding experimental group increased to 33.2 ± 8.75% compared with 21.7 ± 8.27% (P < 0.05) in the pre-experimental period. The study indicated that the investigated level of zaeralenone in feed negatively affects the reproductive performance of boars. The unhealthy effect of zearalenone may be significantly reduced by treating contaminated feeds with TNPD
Keywords: detoxification, mycotoxin, spermatozoa, testosterone