Zearalenone Effect on Uterine Weight of Rats
Summary Mycotoxins are today considered one of the main contaminants of food and feed. Widespread zearalenone and its metabolites have potent estrogenic and anabolic activity, proven in numerous studies worldwide. Th e aim is to investigate infl uence of zearalenone on the uterine weight of rats depending on the applied dose and duration of the observation period. In a controlled experimental study, 63 adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups, depending on the oral test dose of zearalenone applied: 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 mg / kg of body weight. At the end of each of the four observation periods of seven days, animals were sacrifi ced under general anesthesia with ether, and aft er an autopsy the mass of the uterus was determined. Zearalenone in the dose of 0.1 mg / kg of body weight has caused a signifi cant increase in uterine weight between the fi rst and fourth observation interval. Doses of 0.3 and 0.5 mg zearalenone / kg caused a decrease in uterine weight, which was at a dose of 0.5 mg / kg highly signifi cant between all observational intervals. Aft er 7 days of applying of the toxin, uterine weights did not diff er signifi cantly with respect to applied dose. Aft er 14, 21 and 28 days, diff erences in uterine weight were highly signifi cant, depending on the dose of zearalenone. Th e results show that prolonged application of large doses of zearalenone produced a signifi cant decrease in uterine weights in experimental animals.