| Abstract: | Crystalline zearalenone was administered to young female pigs at dose levels of 0, 3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 mg zearalenone/kg body weight. All animals receiving the mycotoxin exhibited vulva vaginitis and had enlarged reproductive tracts, 1 week after dosing. Free zearalenone was found in the blood, feces and urine of dosed animals. The highest zearalenone level detected was 2.61 ng/ml from a pig that received the 7.5 mg/kg dose. After 24 hours, feces collected contained on average upto 308 ng zearalenone per g of dried feces. Zearalenone levels of up to 59 ng/ml, and alpha-zearalenol levels of up to 155 ng/ml urine were found. beta-zearalenol was also detected in the urine. |
