Individual and combined effect of Fusarium toxins in vivo

Feed containing fumonisin (5 ppm; F), zearalenone (Z) and deoxynivalenol (D) (0.25 ppm+1 ppm; ZD) individually and these three toxins in combination (5 ppm+0.25 ppm+1 ppm; FZD) was fed to adult Pannon White (n =15/group) male rabbits (4±0.5 kg) for 65 days to determine the Fusarium toxin eff ect on breeding rabbit bucks’ sperm quality and endocrine function. Th e toxin levels were the lowest limit values for farm animals of the Commission Recommendation (2006/576/EC). On trial days 0, 30 and 65 blood and semen were sampled, and from semen pH, concentration, motility and morphology of the spermatozoa were investigated. Th e ratio of spermatozoa showing progressive forward motility decreased (P