The effect of HT-2 toxin on ovarian steroidogenesis and its response to IGF-I, leptin and ghrelin in rabbits.

T-2 toxin and its metabolite HT-2 toxin are one of the most toxic mycotoxins of type A-trichothecenes, which are produced mainly by Fusarium species. Therefore, study of Fusarium toxins T-2 toxin and HT-2 toxin is an essential issue because they could also play role in failures of reproductive functions as well as endocrine system of domestic animals. Assessment of the effect of A-trichothecene mycotoxin HT-2 toxin alone or combined with insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I), leptin and ghrelin on estradiol secretion by rabbit ovarian fragments in vitro was done. Rabbit ovarian fragments were incubated without (control group) or with HT-2 toxin, or its combinations with IGF-I, leptin and ghrelin at various concentrations for 24 h. Secretion of 17beta-estradiol was determined by ELISA. Firstly, HT-2 toxin at the doses 10 and 100 ng.ml(-1), but not at 1 ng.ml(-1) decreased 17beta-estradiol secretion by ovarian fragments. Secondly, 17beta-estradiol secretion was not affected by HT-2 toxin exposure combined with growth factor IGF-I, metabolic hormones leptin and ghrelin. In conclusion, HT-2 toxin has potent direct dose-dependent effects on ovarian steroidogenesis in rabbits. These direct effects of HT-2 mycotoxin on ovarian steroidogenesis could impact negatively on the reproductive performance of rabbits.