Deoxynivalenol alone or in combination with nivalenol and zearalenone induce systemic histological changes in pigs

Deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV) and zearalenone (ZEA) are mycotoxins commonly produced by Fusarium species. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of DON alone and in combination with NIV and ZEA on several parameters including weight gain and histological aspects of pigs submitted to chronic intoxication. Twenty, 5-week-old piglets received for 28 days one of the following diets: a control diet, a diet mono- contaminated with DON (1.5mg/kg), a diet multi-contaminated with DON (2mg/kg)+NIV (1.3mg/kg)+ZEA (1.5mg/kg) or a diet contaminated with DON (3mg/kg)+NIV (1.3mg/kg)+ZEA (1.5mg/kg). Animals fed the multi-contaminated diets presented a significant decrease in weight gain over the total period. The chronic ingestion of the contaminated diets induced a significant increase on histological changes on the intestine, liver and lymphoid organs. In addition, a significant increase on lymphocyte apoptosis was observed in lymph nodes and spleen in the animals receiving the contaminated diets. These data provide a better understanding of the possible effects of Fusarium toxins, alone or in combinations on the morphology of the intestine and lymphoid organs, which would contribute to the risk assessment of these toxins.