Changes in the Intestinal Histomorphometry, the Expression of Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins, and the Bone Structure and Liver of Pre-Laying Hens Following Oral Administration of Fumonisins for 21 Days

Abstract

Fumonisins (FB) are metabolites found in cereal grains (including maize), crop products, and pelleted feed. There is a dearth of information concerning the effects of FB intoxication on the intestinal histomorphometry, the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, and the bone structure and liver in pre-laying hens. The current experiment was carried out on hens from the 11th to the 14th week of age. The hens were orally administered an extract containing fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) at doses of 0.0 mg/kg b.w. (body weight), 1.0 mg/kg b.w., 4.0 mg/kg b.w., and 10.9 mg/kg b.w. for 21 days. Following FB intoxication, the epithelial integrity of the duodenum and jejunum was disrupted, and dose-dependent degenerative changes were observed in liver. An increased content of immature collagen was observed in the bone tissue of FB-intoxicated birds, indicating intensified bone turnover. A similar effect was observed with regards to the articular cartilage, where enhanced fibrillogenesis was observed mainly in the group of birds that received the FB extract at a dose of 10.9 mg/kg b.w. In conclusion, FB intoxication resulted in negative structural changes in the bone tissue of the hens, which could result in worsened bone mechanics and an increase in the risk of bone fractures. Fumonisin administration, even at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg b.w., can lead to degradation of the intestinal barrier and predispose hens to intestinal disturbances later in life.

The Influence of Prenatal Fumonisin Exposure on Bone Properties, as well as OPG and RANKL Expression and Immunolocalization, in Newborn Offspring Is Sex and Dose Dependent

“…Both aflatoxin and ochratoxin have been shown to decrease bone strength [46]. Mink dams exposed to deoxynivalenol displayed disturbances in overall bone homeostasis, with decreased mechanical endurance and reduced geometric properties of long bones, while results from other studies performed on rats and laying hens exposed to FBs were inconclusive [10,13,34]. Studies on rats or hens have also shown that FBs' exposure can destroy the intestinal barrier [8,13,27].…”

“…The FBs were administered in 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline solution from the seventh day of pregnancy to parturition, by oral gavage, as previously described [10]. The FBs' preparation has also been described previously [13]. Control rats received saline solution in the corresponding amount and via the same route of administration.…”

“…FBs have been shown to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats and mice, and they have also been shown to disturb the intestinal barrier even at a very low dose of 1.0 mg/kg b.w. [13,14].…”

Trabecular Bone Parameters, TIMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, VEGF Expression and Immunolocalization in Bone and Cartilage in Newborn Offspring Prenatally Exposed to Fumonisins

“…FBs were given in 0.5 mL of 0.9% saline solution from the 7th day of the pregnancy to parturition by oral gavage, as previously described [10]. The FBs' preparation is also described in a previous publication [13], where the concentration of stock FB solution was determined using an ELISA (Ridascreen Fumonisin, #R3401, detection limit: 25 ug/kg; R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany), according to the manufacturer's protocol. Control animals received saline solution in the corresponding amount and manner.…”

“…Turkeys and ducks are more susceptible to FB toxicity than broiler chickens, in which doses of up to 300 mg/kg feed can induce clinical toxicity [12]. Fumonisin administration, even at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg b.w., leads to degradation of the intestinal barrier [13]. FBs have been shown to be hepatocarcinogenic in rats and mice [14].…”