ABSTRACT
The effects of chronic oral exposure (28 days) to aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)) were studied in weaned piglets. Six experimental groups, each comprising two neutered males and two females, were fed ad libitum with rations containing: (A) 0 mg of FB(1) and 0 mg of AFB(1)/kg of feed (control); (B) 10 mg of FB(1)/kg of feed; (C) 30 mg of FB(1)/kg of feed; (D) 50 microg of AFB(1)/kg of feed; (E) 10 mg of FB(1) plus 50 microg of AFB(1)/kg of feed; (F) 30 mg of FB(1) plus 50 microg of AFB(1)/kg of feed. The animals were inspected twice daily and their body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly and daily, respectively. Samples of feces and urine were collected 24 h after the start of the experiment, to check for fumonisin residues by HPLC analysis. Blood samples were drawn at the start of the experiment and after 28 days for quantification of hematological and biochemical parameters. Necropsies were performed after 28 days; at necropsy, the organs were weighed, inspected macroscopically and processed for histopathological and toxicological analyses. All piglets from groups C and F presented typical signs of pulmonary edema, with reduced feed consumption and body weight gain as well as pathological alterations. FB(1) was detected in feces and urine at 24 h of intoxication and in liver after 28 days of intoxication. Increases were detected regarding the following hematological and biochemical parameters in animals from treatments C and F: erythrocyte number; hematocrit; total bilirubin; total protein; activity of serum alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Cholesterol levels were significantly aumented only in animals from groups C and F, whereas albumin concentrations increased in groups C, F, B and E. The average organ/body weight ratio of piglets (hearth, liver and lung) were significantly greater in groups C and F. The only joint effects of FB(1) and AFB(1) detected (group F) were a decrease in feed consumption during the last week of intoxication and in feed conversion throughout the 28 days of intoxication. Chronic intoxication of piglets with AFB(1) and FB(1) leads to important losses of productivity.
Subject(s)
Aflatoxin B1/toxicity , Carcinogens, Environmental/toxicity , Fumonisins/toxicity , Fusarium/chemistry , Aflatoxin B1/pharmacokinetics , Aflatoxin B1/urine , Animals , Body Weight/drug effects , Carcinogens, Environmental/pharmacokinetics , Diet , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Eating/drug effects , Feces/chemistry , Female , Fumonisins/pharmacokinetics , Fumonisins/urine , Liver/chemistry , Liver/metabolism , Male , SwineABSTRACT
The characteristics of the interface epithelium-connective tissue of the lingual mucosa of Calomys callosus was studied by employing scanning electron microscopy after removal of the epithelial cells. In the anterior part, the connective tissue papillae of filiform papillae are distributed at random in their original configuration, and the round-shaped fungiform papillae are scattered among the filiform papillae. In the middle part, the filiform papillae present several rod-shaped projections. In the posterior part, the vallate papilla are oval in shape, and the connective tissue reveals a large ridge separated by deep lateral grooves. The posterior adjacent area is a flat surface and shows several openings of salivary gland ducts. The foliate papillae are formed by several small ridges separated by grooves. In the areas adjacent to the foliate papilla, small pointed and laminar papillae were observed.
