LAUSR

ABSTRACT Most plant materials are contaminated with small doses of Fusarium mycotoxins and its modified forms that exert subclinical toxic effects on humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the carry‐over of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol (pure parent compounds) to intestinal and liver tissues during 6 weeks of exposure to mycotoxins administered per os to gilts. The experiment was performed on 36 gilts with average body weight of 25±2kg, divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (group E, administered zearalenone at 40&mgr;g/kg BW and deoxynivalenol at 12&mgr;g/kg BW daily with feed) and a control group administered placebo. Tissue saturation with mycotoxins was analysed by liquid chromatography in samples collected at weekly intervals. Six gilts were euthanized in each week of the study. The conducted analyses revealed: (i) a non‐uniform increase in zearalenone levels in the duodenum, jejunum, ascending colon and the liver; and (ii) an increase in deoxynivalenol levels, mainly in the ileum, caecum, ascending colon and the transverse colon, and a minor increase in the liver. The degree of tissue saturation was determined by the type of mycotoxin, but not by the time of exposure. HIGHLIGHTSWe measured tissue mycotoxin levels in gilts fed zearalenone and deoxynivalenol.The sites of accumulation differed between mixed and single mycotoxicosis.Zearalenon and deoxynivalenol were accumulated mostly in the duodenum and caecum, respectively.The degree of tissue saturation was determined by the type of mycotoxin.