THE EFFECT OF DEOXYNIVALENOL ON RABBIT SPERMATOZOA MOTILITY IN VITRO

In this in vitro study the effects of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) on the motility parameters of rabbit spermatozoa were investigated. The spermatozoa motility was evaluated using CASA assay. Different concentrations of DON in the ejaculate was divided into four experimental group: 0 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL and 1000 ng/mL. Significant differences have not been detected between control group and experimental groups after the detailed analysis of certain motility parameters – total motile spermatozoa (%), progressively motile spermatozoa (%), average path distance (DAP, μm), average path velocity (VAP, μm/s) and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH, μm). Observed data suggested that further experiments are needed to be done because of a lack of the evidence toxinogenic effects of mycotoxin DON during its constant detection in feed and food.