SVIBOR - Project code: 3-03-355

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
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Project code: 3-03-355


EFFECTS OF PESTICIDES AND MYCOTOXINES ON SWINE REPRODUCTION


Main researcher: GOJMERAC, TIHOMIRA (98185)


Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 04/30/91. to 12/30/93.
Papers on project (total): 14
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 3
Institution name: Veterinarski institut, Zagreb (48)
Department/Institute: Department of residues analysis
Address: Savska 143
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)41 53 50 11
Fax: 385 (0)41 53 71 40
Summary: The study of the effect of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s triazine),an s-triazine pesticide (herbicide),and zearalenone,a mycotoxin, on the ovarian function of pigs (gilts) in intensive breeding,included the following:a/ determination of atrazine residues in pig drinking water on a pig-breeding farm,using the immunoenzymatic method (ELISA) compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). b/ determination of zearalenone residues in corn kernels as the main ingredient of pig feed,using the immunoenzymatic method (ELISA).c/determination of zearalenone concentration in serum of pigs with reproduction disturbances, using the immunoenzymatic method and d/ follow-up of the effect of subtoxic doses of atrazine on the ovarian function,i.e. occurrence of estrus and ovulation in gilts.Serum concentration of 17á-estradiol (17á-E) and progesterone (P), the endocrine secretion products that play an important role in the cyclic ovarian activity,were determined in gilts administered subtoxic doses of atrazine in feed during 19 days of estrouscycle.Determination of 17á-E and P in serum was performed on the days of the expected proestrus,estrus and metestrus.The animals in which the signs of the next estrus failed to occur,were sacrificed 8 days later. The ovary and uterus tissues were removed and histopathologic examinations were performed.During the study,histopathologic analysis revealed alterations in the liver tissue obtained from the atrazine-treated pigs.Therefore,the study was extended to the follow-up of hepato- toxic effect of the contaminant in pigs,which included determination of the avtivities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP).

Keywords: pesticides, s-triazine herbicides, atrazine, mycotoxines, zearalenone, toxic substances, reproduction, swine, gilts, estrous, infertility, abortion,

Research goals: Disturbances of the reproduction cycle in pigs cause considerable economic damage in intensive pig breeding.These disturbances manifest as frequent estrus failure or poor expression of the estrus signs.These reproduction disturbances of non-infective etiology may be caused by toxic substances,e.g.,atrazine,a pesticide (herbicide) and zearalenone,a mycotoxin,that reach the animal body through feed and water. Results of the study clearly pointed to the toxic effect of these contaminants on the ovarian function in gilts.As subtoxic amounts of atrazine and zearalenone can be concurrently present in the pig feed,their individual effects and possible interaction of equimolar amounts of these substances on the ovarian function in pigs in the farm-breeding conditions were also investigated. Comparison of biochemical and histopathologic examination has suggested that results of the study of individual effects of these contaminants and their equimolar mixtures on ovarian function in pigs might be expected to contribute to the clarification of some estrous questions in the pathology of pig reproduction,such as failure,delay or poor expression of estrus.This should be preceded by monitoring of atrazine residues in pig drinking water and determination of zearalenone residues in corn and pig serum.
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