The aim of the present study was to examine the chronic effect of T-2 toxin on feed consumption and sperm quality. Pannon White (n=10/group) male rabbits (weight: 4050-4500 g, age: 9 month) trained to ejaculate into artificial vagina were exposed to 0 (control), 0.05, 0.1 or 0.2 mg/animal/day of T-2 toxin by gavage for 63 days. On the 63rd day of the experiment semen was collected with an artificial vagina, and the following traits were evaluated: pH, concentration, morphology, motility with CASA, concentration of seminal plasma components such as citric acid, zinc and fructose. At the end of the experiment animals were necropsied and the testes were subjected to histopathological examination. T-2 toxin in 0.1 mg and 0.2 daily dose significantly decreased feed intake in the first two weeks but no significant difference between groups were observed from the 4th week. Among the sperm quality traits examined only the ratio of spermatozoa with cytoplasmic droplets increased by 320% in animals treated with the highest dose of T-2. The 0.1 mg/animal/day toxin exposure resulted in a slight hyperplasia of the Leydig cells, while the highest dose (0.2 mg/animal/ day) caused hyperaemia, increased proliferative activity and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells. According to the preliminary results it seems, that adult male rabbits may tolerate the concentration of 0.05 mg/animal/day T-2 toxin.

T-2 toxin; rabbit; sperm quality

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia