Plasma and Urinary Levels of Zearalenone and α‐Zearalenol in a Prepubertal Gilt Fed Zearalenone

Abstract

One prepubteral gilt, fed 192 .mu.g zearalenone kg body wt/day for 4 days, showed plasma concentrations of .alpha.-zearalenol 3-4 times higher than of the parent compound during the treatment. Zearalenone and .alpha.-zearalenol could be traced in plasma until the 5th day and in urine until the 4th day of the posttreatment period. A maximum circulating amount of zearalenone plus .alpha.-zearalenol, 10.4 ng/ml plasma, was found on the 4th day of treatment followed by a urinary excretion of 305 ng/ml urine. All zearalenone and .alpha.-zearalenol in plasma and urine were bound to glucuronic acid. On the 2nd day of treatment the animal showed edema and reddening of the vulva which became more pronounced during the treatment. Hormone analysis, however, showed that the animal had no estrus cycle during the 3 wk experimental period.