EFFECT OF ZEARALENONE ON HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PORCINE BLOOD IN VITRO

The aim of this study was to determine the haematological parameters of porcine blood after mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) exposure in vitro. Samples of porcine blood were incubated with ZEN: 10 mu.ml(-1) in E1 group, 100 mu g.ml(-1) in E2 group, and 1000 mu g.ml(-1) in E3 group for 4 hours at 37 degrees C. The group without any addition served as the control. ZEN caused significant decrease of white blood cells count and lymphocyte count in all experimental groups when compared to the control. Regarding red blood cells (RBC) ZEN significantly decreased the number of RBC in porcine blood followed by increase of haemolysis and decrease of haemoglobin and haematocrit. The count of platelets was significantly decreased in all experimental groups against the control. The results of this study confirm toxicological effect of ZEN on blood cells.