The effect of T-2 toxin on bone microstructure in rabbits

T-2 toxin is the most toxic of the trichothecene mycotoxins. Its effect on bone microstructure is still unknown. This study focuses on acute effects of the T-2 toxin on compact and trabecular bone tissues structure of rabbits after a single intramuscular administration. Experimental E group ( n = 4) consisted of animals which were intramuscularly injected with T-2 toxin at dose 0.08 mg.kg −1 body weight 72 h before slaughter. Group C ( n = 4) without T-2 toxin application served as a control. An absence of primary vascular longitudinal bone tissue near endosteal surfaces, its deposition on periosteal surfaces and a lower density of secondary osteons in the middle part of the substantia compacta were observed in both females and males injected with T-2 toxin. On the contrary, morphometrical analysis of the compact bone showed no demonstrable alternations in the sizes of primary osteons’ vascular canals, Haversian canals or secondary osteons between rabbits from E and C groups. Also, no significant effects of the T-2 toxin on trabecular bone morphometry and cortical bone thickness were observed between rabbits of either sex. The single intramuscular application of T-2 toxin at the dose used in our study affects only qualitative histological characteristics of the compact bone in rabbits.