Rabbits in Mycotoxin Research at Kaposvár University

Kachlek, Mariam Lilia and Szabó-Fodor, Judit and Kovács, Melinda (2016) Rabbits in Mycotoxin Research at Kaposvár University. In: 28. Nyúltenyésztési Tudományos Nap, 2016.05.25, Kaposvár.

Preview

Text 15_Kachlek_Rabbits_mycotoxin_res_at KU_Kachlek et al_OK.pdf Download (309kB) | Preview

Abstract

In toxicity testing a lot of animals have been used as models with rodents being the most frequently used due to their small size and inexpensive purchase. Rabbits are large enough to permit easy handling and at the same time to facilitate easy blood and semen collection as well as other more intrusive practices like embryo transfer. Thus rabbits have been used in many studies on developmental and reproductive toxicity. Mycotoxin research is another field in which rabbits have been the animal of choice. Mycotoxins are the secondary metabolites of fungi which can cause a series of syndromes and health implications to both animals and humans. Rabbits are highly susceptible to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Ochratoxin A (OTA) can exert teratogenic effects whereas fumonisins can cause renal or liver toxicity to rabbits. In Kaposvár University both single (FB1, T-2, DON) and combined (FB1+T-2, DON+ZEA and FB1+DON+ZEA) experiments have been conducted. T-2 is the most studied mycotoxin and the No observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) has been determined in rabbit bucks. The effect of FB1 has also been studied confirming the renal toxicity in pregnant rabbit does and the foetuses. ZEA has also been studied in combination with only DON or FB1 and DON. The effect of DON in concentration twice as much as the guidance value set by the European Commision for complementary and complete feedstuffs; rabbits were not severely affected. The two targets were the liver (altered morphology) and the immune system with no negative secondary effect.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item