Physiopathological effects of zearalenone in post-weaning female piglets with or without montmorillonite clay adsorbent

Zearalenone (ZEA), commonly present in corn and its derived products for animals, has caused significant economical impact on swine reproduction in China. The present study therefore attempted to reveal the adverse effects of ZEA (1.3 mg/kg diet) exposure from a viewpoint of damages focusing on the liver and kidney of female piglets. The efficacy of dietary montmorillonite clay in preventing ZEA-induced adverse effects was also determined. Treatments were 1) control; 2) control + 2.5 g/kg clay; 3) control + 1 mg/kg ZEA; 4) control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 1.25 g/kg clay; 5) control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 2.5 g/kg clay; 6) control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 5.0 g/kg clay; 7) control + 1 mg/kg ZEA + 10 g/kg clay. Results showed that pigs fed ZEA-contaminated diet reduced (P < 0.05) platelets, haemoglobin, globulin, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDL) in serum, and increased (P < 0.05) all enzymes activities, cholesterol, urea, and creatinine. Degeneration of the liver and kidney tissues was also found in female piglets fed 1.3 mg/kg ZEA-contaminated diet. Dietary addition of clay showed a positive protection effect on ZEA feeding, and the linear or quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on neutralizing detrimental effects of clay in ZEA feeding were observed. It suggested that feeding ZEA at 1.3 mg/kg diet for 24-d may result in a deleterious effect in female piglets, and clay addition at 5 or 10 g/kg diet can effectively protect against the detrimental effects of the ZEA feeding. These results may have implications for human and animals consuming ZEA-contaminated food or feed.