Mycotoxins are today considered one of the main contaminants of food and feed. Widespread zearalenone and its metabolites have potent estrogenic and anabolic activity, proven in numerous studies worldwide. The aim is to investigate influence of zearalenone on the uterine weight of rats depending on the applied dose and duration of the observation period. In a controlled experimental study, 63 adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups, depending on the oral test dose of zearalenone applied: 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg / kg of body weight. At the end of each of the four observation periods of seven days, animals were sacrificed under general anesthesia with ether, and after an autopsy the mass of the uterus was determined. Zearalenone in the dose of 0.1 mg / kg of body weight has caused a significant increase in uterine weight between the first and fourth observation interval. Doses of 0.3 and 0.5 mg zearalenone/ kg caused a decrease in uterine weight, which was at a dose of 0.5 mg / kg highly significant between all observational intervals. After 7 days of applying of the toxin, uterine weights did not differ significantly with respect to applied dose. After 14, 21 and 28 days, differences in uterine weight were highly significant, depending on the dose of zearalenone. The results show that prolonged application of large doses of zearalenone produced a significant decrease in uterine weights in experimental animals.

Zearalenone; rat; uterus

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