Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a potential pathogenic factor to humans and animals, and intestinal tract is the primary target organ of DON. Data concerning the effects of DON on rabbits are scarce, especially for weaning rabbits. In this study, 45 weaning rabbits (35 d) were randomly and equally assigned into three groups. Group A was fed basic diet, while groups B and C were added DON at 0.5 mg/kg BW/d and 1.5 mg/kg BW/d, respectively, based on the basic diet. The experiment lasted for 24 days and the intestinal morphology, expression, and distribution of several cytokines in intestinal segments have been examined. The results indicated that ADG decreased while F/G increased significantly compared with the control group after DON added at 1.5 mg/kg BW/d. Some of the morphometric parameters (villi length, crypt depth, and goblet cells density) changed after DON was added. Meanwhile, the concentration as well as the expression levels of relative protein and mRNA of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-8 increased significantly. The immunohistochemistry results illustrated that the quantity and distribution of positive cells of inflammatory cytokines were changed after DON was added. In conclusion, the addition of DON damaged the intestinal morphology and changed the distribution and expression of inflammatory cytokines. The toxic effect depended on the dosage of DON.
Keywords: deoxynivalenol; inflammatory cytokines; intestinal morphology; weaning rabbit.