Effect of Aflatoxin-Laced Diets on Ovarian Follicles of New Zealand White Rabbits
Ikisiri
Contamination of crops by Aspergillus fungi can occur at any stage of food production, ranging from pre-harvest to storage. These toxins are generally found in the mycelium of filamentous fungi but may also exist in the spores of the Aspergillus genus. Their production is influenced by factors such as a favourable temperature range of 24–35°C and relative humidity levels between 7 and 10%, in conditions prevalent in tropical regions. Despite their harmful effects, the presence of aflatoxins in food and feed often goes unnoticed. This is due to a lack of public awareness, insufficient regulatory frameworks, the dumping of contaminated food products by importers and the introduction of tainted commodities into the food chain during periods of food scarcity caused by drought, conflict, political instability or economic crises. Aflatoxins are invisible and highly corrosive chemical toxins that damage the liver, and reproductive systems and are carcinogenic to various organs. The current study investigated the histopathological effects on the follicles of New Zealand White rabbits fed diets containing varying levels of aflatoxins. Over 45 days, 16 three-month-old rabbits were housed in well-ventilated cages with 12:12 hours of daily light: darkness exposure and fed diets containing four different levels of aflatoxins. At the end of the study period, one rabbit from each treatment group was humanely sacrificed, and its ovaries were removed and sent to the anatomy and pathology laboratory for histological analysis. The findings revealed a reduction in primordial follicles with increasing levels of aflatoxin in the diet. Part of the ovarian cytoplasm contained dark-red fluid resembling blood, indicating follicular infiltration. The inflammation likely obscured other follicles, and two follicles were observed to be necrotic. Examination of ovarian tissues in treatments 3 and 4 revealed mild histological changes, including desquamation of granulosa cells, congestion, and multifocal oedema between the congested blood vessels in the ovarian medulla. In conclusion, including aflatoxin in New Zealand White rabbit diets, even at the levels tested in this study, resulted in significant effects on the ovarian cytoplasm, reduced follicle number, and necrotic damage to the follicles. Based on these findings, it is recommended that aflatoxin levels in rabbit diets should not exceed 100 ppb to prevent adverse histological effects on the ovaries and reduce follicle numbers.
Upakuaji
Marejeleo
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