Cecal enzyme activity in gilts following experimentally induced Fusarium mycotoxicosis

The objective of the presented study was to examine the influence of Fusarium mycotoxins (zearalenone--ZEN and deoxynivalenol--DON), administered separately and in combination, on the activity of cecal enzymes (β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase) in gilts which were fed fodder con- taminated with these mycotoxins. The activity of β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase varied in the range of 0.170-1.236 μmol · h(-1) · mg(-1) and 8.701-96.704 μmol · h(-1) · mg(-1), respectively. In the first two weeks, the toxins had no significant effect on the activity of β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase in the ascending and descending colon. After week 3 and later on, ZEN and DON administered as a mix- ture led to the highest increase in the activity of both enzymes. Administered separately, DON affected the activity of enzymes more than ZEN. From the third week of the experiment, an increase in the activity of CW β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase was observed.