Effects of Mycotoxins on Mitogen-stimulated Proliferation of Bovine Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Abstract

The effects of mycotoxins on mitogen-stimulated proliferation of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were investigated. Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN) were added to cultures of PBMCs, and the proliferation responses were measured using MTT bioassays. Suppression of the proliferation of calf PBMCs by AFB₁ and DON was significantly stronger than that of cow PBMCs, whereas there were no differences in suppressive effects on PBMCs from Holstein and Japanese Black calves and cows. The suppressive effect was greatest in the order of DON, AFB₁ and ZEN, and the effects of DON and AFB₁ seemed to be dose-dependent. The results suggest that some mycotoxins directly suppress proliferation of bovine PBMCs.