Perinatal oestrogen syndrome in swine

Perinatal oestrogen syndrome (F-2 fusariotoxicosis occurring at the perinatal age) was studied in large pig herds and in animal experiments. The disease markedly lowered the conception rate of sows and gilts, and increased the number of repeat breeders. Litter size decreased and the number of stillbirths rose. Both the newborn piglets and the stillborn fetuses showed swelling of the vulva and teats and oedematous infiltration of the perineal region, ventral part of the abdomen and umbilicus, often accompanied by exudative-crusted inflammation, then necrosis of the teats. The number of piglets with splayleg and trembling increased. Gross and histopathological examination revealed enlargement of the ovary and uterus, with signs of follicle maturation in the ovary, glandular proliferation in the endometrium and epithelial proliferation in the vagina in addition to oedema and hyperaemia. In newborn piglets, the signs of hyperoestrogenism could be induced also experimentally, by feeding an F-2 toxin containing diet to pregnant sows. Intrauterine toxin effect was found to be primarily responsible for inducing the syndrome in newborn piglets. Because of its lower quantity, F-2 toxin excreted in the sow's milk is assumed to have a secondary role.