Effects of short-term moderate ZEN consumption on uterosacral ligament elasticity in pubertal gilts. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pack, Erica; Stewart, Jacob; Rhoads, Michelle; Knight, James; Clark, Sherrie; Schmale, David G.; De Vita, Raffaella
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 133(2020)
• Page Start: 202
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Mycotoxin -- Zearalenone -- Swine -- Elasticity -- Uterosacral Ligaments; CMOS complementary metal oxide semiconductor -- DDGS dried distiller's grains with solubles -- DIC digital image correlation -- MD main loading direction -- PBS phosphate buffer solution -- PD perpendicular loading direction -- POP pelvic organ prolapse -- USL uterosacral ligament -- ZEN zearalenone -- ER estrogen receptor; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.09.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: Zearalenone (ZEN) is a potent estrogenic toxin in swine, contributing to economic losses in herds via reproductive consequences such as pelvic organ prolapse (POP). To better understand the relationship between ZEN-consumption and reproductive symptoms, an animal feeding study with pubertal gilts was designed. The gilts were exposed to three different treatments: solvent-only feed for 21 days ( n = 10), ZEN-spiked feed for 7 days followed by solvent-only feed for 14 days (n = 10), and ZEN-spiked feed for 21 days (n = 10). The gilts did not display any ZEN-related symptoms throughout any of the treatments. At the end of the trial the elastic properties of the USLs from participating gilts were evaluated along two loading directions: main direction (MD) and perpendicular direction (PD). The elastic properties included average stresses at 2% and 4% strains, and secant moduli. Overall the elastic properties of the USLs did not vary across treatment groups or between loading directions. In the MD, average stress increased from 32.96 ± 4.43 kPa at 2% strain to 63.21 ± 9.69 kPa at 4% strain, with a secant modulus of 1.52 ± 0.27 MPa. In the PD, average stress increased from 40.82 ± 4.22 kPa at 2% strain to 83.38 ± 9.17 kPa at 4% strain, with a secant modulus of 2.13 ± 0.31 MPa. Continued research into the relationship between ZEN consumption and reproductive symptoms such as POP is necessary in order to mitigate their deleterious effects in herds. Highlights: The effects of short-term, moderate, zearalenone consumption in pubertal gilts were evaluated. The elasticity of the uterosacral ligaments was measured using digital image correlation and biaxial testing. Zearalenone consumption did not produce reproductive symptoms or affect elasticity of the uterosacral ligament.