Mycotoxins and eprinomectin: potential risks in case of combined action on the animal organism

An urgent problem all over the world is the contamination of feed with mycotoxins. Animals consuming such feeds are also exposed to other stress factors. The aim of the work was to assess the metabolic status and functional activity of the thyroid gland under the combined effect of mycotoxins and eprinomectin on the animal organism. In the experiment, 3 groups of white non-linear rats weighing 220 ± 15 g were used. The first group was a control group, the second and third groups received food containing mycotoxins (T-2 toxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol) for 2 months. Animals of the third group were also subjected to a single treatment with the drug Veteprin (active substance is eprinomectin). Animals of the second experimental group showed an increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase (by 68.5%) and creatine kinase (by 16.5%) and a decrease in the level of pancreatic amylase by 32.8% against the background of an increase in the level of free T4 by 2 times. With the combined effect of mycotoxins and eprinomectin, there is an increase in the level of alkaline phosphatase (by 2.2 times) and a decrease in the levels of amylase (by 11.1%) and creatine kinase (by 43.7%). The effect of eprinomectin on the background of mycotoxicosis reduces the production of thyroxine and leads to hyperglycemia. Histological examination of the thyroid gland of rats fed with mycotoxins shows vacuolar dystrophy of thyrocytes with severe desquamation and the formation of encapsulated nodes in the parenchyma of the organ. Animals additionally subjected to antiparasitic treatment showed signs of thyrocyte necrosis, destruction of thyroid follicles, and colloid liquefaction. The results of the study indicate a hepato- and thyrotoxic effect of mycotoxins and an increase in potential risks with simultaneous exposure on the body of mycotoxins and the antiparasitic drug “Eprinomectinˮ.