engleski

Changes in serum progesterone concentration associated with cystic ovarian follicle degeneration in pigs following s-triazine herbicide (atrazine) treatment

Functional impairments of the ovary are a significant cause of infertility in pigs undergoing intensive breeding. Anoestrus is a common problem of these disturbances that may be indeced by factors of alimentary origin, such as phytotoxins, mycotoxins or insecticides and herbicides. The aim of this study was to determine whether subacute exposure of female pigs to a low doses of atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine), an s-triazine herbicide, could influence the endocrine regulation of their oestrus. Female pigs (cross-bred Swedish and German landraces) of about 6-7 months of age, b.w. 80-100 kg, were given 100 and 150 mg atrazine per kg diet for 19 days. On the first five post-treatment days covering the perioestrous period blood samples were collected for determination of serum progesterone (P) concentration by Delfia time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. Paraffin section of ovaries were stained for histologic examination. In the atrazine-treated animals, certain behavioural signs of the onset of the next expected oestrus failed to occur. Histology pointed to the development of multiple large ovarian follicular cysts and persistence of corpus luteum. A significantly increased (P<0, 05 and P<0, 001, respectively) serum P concentration was determined 48 and 24 h before the onset of the next expected oestrus in atrazine-treated pigs as compared to intact pigs. The results pointed to the effect of atrazine on the ovarian function in pigs, manifesting as a nonphysiologic state of anoestrus. Furthermore, a higher serum P concentration in anoestrous pigs may provide useful data in the diagnosis of follicular cystic ovary disease.

herbicides; atrazine; pigs; oestrus; anoestrus; progesterone; follicular cystic ovary disease

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