Effect of prolonged aflatoxin B1 administration on blood serum oestradiol-17β and progesterone concentrations of goats during the anoestrus period

The effect of prolonged aflatoxin B-1 (AFB(1)) administration on blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations in goats during the anoestrus period was investigated. Thirty Greek indigenous goats were used; 10 goats received, per os, 50 mu g (treated group T50) and 10 goats received 100 mu g (treated group T100) AFB(1)/day/head, respectively, for 31 days, while 10 goats served as controls (C). Blood samples were collected from each goat twice a week to determine serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum oestradiol-17 beta concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner, and a significant (P < 0.05) negative dependence over time (0-31 days, from the onset to the end of AFB(1) administration). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive dependence of blood serum progesterone concentration over group (C = 0, T50 = 50, T100 = 100), in a dose-dependent manner. Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed a significant (P < 0.05) positive correlation between blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentration, but only in the goats of the control group. In conclusion, the prolonged administration of 100 or even of 50 mu g AFB(1)/day/head during the anoestrus period, increased blood serum oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations of goats, in a dose-dependent manner, and in the treated groups disturbed the positive correlation between oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentration shown in the goats of the control group.