Medycyna Wet. 62 (4), 463-467, 2006
Doboszyńska T., Andronowska A., Jarczyk A.
Immunohistochemical location of VEGF in the ovaries of gilts fed a diet containing zearalenone
The aim of the study was to determine the immunolocation of VEGF in the ovarian tissues of 60-day-old gilts. The animals were divided into 5 groups (n=3), depending on the level of feed contamination with natural (ZENn) and/or crystal zearalenone (ZENk) and/or no addition of Fix-A-Tox, mycotoxin absorber and Mycofix Plus causing ZEN chemical degradation. The feed of control groups K1 and K2 contained low levels of ZENn, but group K2 had three times higher levels of ZEN than group K1, and no F-A-T agents or Mycofix Plus. Only group K1 had healthy ovarian tissues displaying VEGF immunoreactivity in the endothelium of the capillaries (mainly circumfollicular) and in the endothelium of the ovarian hilus vessels and epithelial layer. In group K2 the high level of ZENk may have been the major cause of follicular cell degradation, which formed aggregate bundles having strong VEGF immunoreactivity. In groups D1, D2 and D3, immunoreactivity in the ovarian tissues differed in particular structures. In group D1 degeneration was observed in all follicles, including primary and various sized secondary follicles. The most intensive VEGF immunoreactions were characterized by the remains of the oocyt nucleus, ovarian epithelium and blood vessels wall of the ovarian hilus. The most intensive changes were observed in ovaries originating from group D2. Despite the addition of F-A-T absorber, the cell bundles were visible in all ovarian cortexes. Only some small fragments displayed positive VEGF immunoreactivity. D3 was the only experimental group in which reconstruction of the ovarian tissues was possible. After using VEGF the immunoreactions revealed that although various elements had degenerated, some of them still retained both the structure of various sized follicles as well as a developing capillary network. In this case it can not be excluded that Mycofix Plus significantly influenced the absorption of mycotoxin, which, depending on its level in the diet can lead to the complete destruction of ovaries in pigs.
Keywords: zearalenone, gilts, ovary – VEGF