title: The effects of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) on haematological and biochemical parameters and selected parameters of oxidative stress in piglets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Deoxynivalenol (DON) - trichothecene mycotoxin, is frequently detected in high concentrations in cereals in the temperate region of Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DON in feed on haematological and biochemical parameters and on oxidative stress in piglets.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two concentrations of DON in feedstuff for pigs were chosen: 0.6 mg/kg (group C) and 2.0 mg/kg (group M). Twelve weaned pigs were used in each group. Pigs were fed with naturally contaminated feed for 4 weeks. On days 14, 21 and at the end of the experiment (day 28) samples of blood were taken to determine haematological parameters, plasma biochemical parameters, ceruloplasmin activity and FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The haematological variables did not show changes in response to contaminated diet with exception of the mean corpuscular volume, which was significantly decreased at the end of the experiment in the group M. A significant increase of alkaline phosphatase activity (140%, p<0.01) was found in the group M compared to the group C at the end of the experiment. A significant decrease was found on the day 21 in FRAP (85%, p<0.001) and on the day 28 in ceruloplasmin (75%, p<0.01) in the group M compared to the group C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The decrease of FRAP and ceruloplasmin indicate a lowered ability of organism to scavenge reactive oxygen species. The higher concentration of DON in feedstuffs had a negative influence on the antioxidant ability of piglet's plasma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic. modrah@vfu.cz.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Modra
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blahova
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marsalek
authors.affiliation: Ruminant and Swine Clinic, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Banoch
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathological Morphology and Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fictum
authors.affiliation: Ruminant and Swine Clinic, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Svoboda
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D008297:Male; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D009183:Mycotoxins; D014255:Trichothecenes; C007262:deoxynivalenol