Evaluation of Collagen and Elastin Content in Skin of Multiparous Minks Receiving Feed Contaminated with Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) with or without Bentonite Supplementation

Simple Summary The presence of mycotoxins in products intended for consumption is harmful to the health of both people and animals. One of the most abundant mycotoxins in mink's feed, often contaminating cereal grains, is a mycotoxin produced by the fungi Fusarium spp. deoxynivalenol (DON). The aim of the study was to investigate whether and how the long-term supply of this mycotoxin in feed influences the skin of adult female minks. An additional objective was to assess the effects of the bentonite additive to feed contaminated by DON, which has the ability to reduce the impact of mycotoxins. The scrapes of the skin were collected from animals after euthanasia and before pelting. After preparing histological slides, samples were examined microscopically. The thickness of the epidermis and dermis was investigated and the presence of elastin and collagen. These parameters determine the quality of the fur skins and economic aspect of this animal husbandry. The results showed that DON causes a decrease in the presence of total collagen and absence of immature collagen, thus reducing the elasticity and flexibility of the skin. The addition the bentonite to feed stimulates the production of collagen, restoring the proper relationship between the tested parameters in mink's skin. Abstract Deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) is considered one of the most dangerous mycotoxins contaminating cereal products for food and feed. One of the protective methods against the adverse effect of DON on mink health is to use a component such as bentonite as a feed supplement to allow toxins absorption. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of DON, administered alone or with bentonite, on the histological structure of the skin and the content of collagen and elastin. A multiparous minks from control group (not exposed to DON) and a study groups receiving fed with DON-containing wheat for seven months: I: at a concentration of 1.1 mg/kg of feed, II: at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg, III: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration of 0.5 kg/1000 kg of feed (0.05%) and IV: DON at a concentration of 3.7 mg/kg and bentonite at a concentration 2 kg/1000 kg (0.2%). After performing euthanasia and before pelting, skin samples of 2 cm in diameter were drawn from the multiparous minks from the lateral surface of the right anterior limb. Our obtained results clearly indicate that DON administered for a period of seven months at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg significantly changes the thickness of skin of a multiparous mink. It causes an increase in the percentage of elastin from 5.9% to 9.4% and a decrease in immature collagen, which results in a change in the collagen/elastin ratio from 10/1 to 5/1. A dose of 3.7 mg/kg DON in feed without or with 0.05% bentonite causes the absence of immature collagen in the dermis, but the addition of 0.2% bentonite in the feed reveals the presence of immature collagen and increase the percentage of the elastin.