Reproductive disorders caused by trichothecene mycotoxins in a large-scale pig herd
Glávits, R.; Sándor, G.S.; Ványi, A.; Gajdács, G.
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 31(4): 173-180
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0236-6290 PMID: 6234779 Document Number: 201565
In a large-scale pig herd, infertility occurred in nearly 40% of both the gilts and the pluriparous sows in two successive years. Trichothecene mycotoxins (T-2,HT-2) were detected in their feedstuffs at 1-2 mg/kg of feed on several occasions during this period. The detection of these mycotoxins in the feed coincided with the period of infertility. Pathological, histological and ultrastructural investigations revealed multiple cystic degeneration of the ovary, some signs indicative of a prolonged absence of ovulation, and the atrophy and lack of activity of the uterus and endometrium. Other histological findings included hypertrophy of the zona fasciculata in the cortex of the adrenal gland and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. No pathological changes were found in other organs.