The effects of dietary deoxynivalenol (DON) on selected blood biochemical and hematological parameters in pre-pubertal gilts

The aim of this study was to determine whether exposure to low doses of DON leads to changes in serum hematological and biochemical profiles. In the experiment, pre-pubertal gilts (with body weight of up to 25 kg) were administered DON per os at a daily dose of 12 |ig/kg BW (group E, n=18) or a placebo (group C, n=21) over a period of 42 days. Blood for analysis was sampled seven times at weekly intervals. Minor, but statistically significant changes were observed in selected indicators, particularly in weeks 2 and 3 in values of biochemical parameters such AlAT, AspAT, Pin and Fe, and in values of hematological parameters such as RBC, MCV, MCHC, PLT, MPV, WBC, neutrophil, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts. In group E, a decreasing trend of the values was observed in most cases, except for RBC, PLT, eosinophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts. Similar results were obtained in the last two weeks of the experiment. Initially, exposure to DON has a stimulating effect, which is eliminated when adaptive mechanisms are triggered. The results of the study indicate that the intensity of biotransformation processes varies subjected to the body's energy resources.