Abstract:
Deoxynivalenol (DON,
vomitoxin) is a type B-trichothecene,
naturally occurring contaminants of animal
feed, being implicated in several
mycotoxicoses in farm livestock. This
mycotoxin occurs predominantly in grains
such as wheat, barley, oats, rye, and maize,
and less often in rice, sorghum, and triticale.
Deoxynivalenol is potent nefrotoxic,
hepatotoxic and immunosuppressant. High
doses of trichothecenes promote rapid onset
of leukocyte apoptosis (programmed cell
death), which is manifested as
immunosuppression. The study aimed to
prove the immunosuppressant action of
deoxynivalenol in chickens experimentally
treated each day, from the 7th day of life,
using 5,4 mg/kg b.w in E group for 28 days
(since 35 days of life). Histopathology
studies of thymus were made on 7th, 14th,
21st and 28th days of experiment. In E group
small lesions of thymus were observed even
after 7th day of poisoning but intense
lesions, hydropic degeneration, necrotic foci
and moderate lymphoid depletion was
observed after the 14th and 21st day of
poisoning. After 28th day a marked
proliferation of stromal cells in the
reticulum network, in medulla zone,
presence of mucous cells, small mucous
cysts and haemorages were observed.
