Abstract

Context: Zearalenone (ZEN) is a common contaminant that is present in feedstuff of high humidity and high temperatures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diets contaminated with different concentrations of ZEN on immunomodulation in early pregnant rats.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight pregnant Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups fed on a diet supplemented with one of four concentrations of ZEN: 0 mg/kg (ZEN 0), 50 mg/kg (ZEN 50), 100 mg/kg (ZEN 100) and 150 mg/kg (ZEN 150). The pregnant rats were fed ZEN-treated diets from gestation days 0 to 7 and a basal diet from gestation days 8 to 20.

Results: ZEN exposure (ZEN 100 and 150) caused significant decreases in splenic coefficients, viability of splenocyte and T-cell proliferation and induced histopathological damage in the spleen of early pregnant rats compared with other groups. Levels of IgG and IgA were decreased, while IgM was increased, in high doses of ZEN (ZEN 100 and ZEN 150) compared with other groups. ZEN 150 caused increases in white blood cells and hemoglobin and induced a significant decrease in platelets in blood of the pregnant rats compared with other groups. ZEN 150 increased the mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-18 and IL-1β and decreased the mRNA expression levels of interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-10 in the spleen of pregnant rats compared with ZEN 0.

Conclusion: High doses of ZEN-induced immunomodulatory effects on early pregnant rats by altering immunological parameters.