PERINATAL ESTROGEN SYNDROME IN SWINE

Perinatal oestrogen syndrome (F-2 fusariotoxicosis occurring at the pe rinatal age) was studied in large pig herds and in animal experiments. The disease markedly lowered the conception rate of sows and gilts, a nd increased the number of repeat breeders. Litter size decreased and the number of stillbirths rose. Both the newborn piglets and the still born fetuses showed swelling of the vulva and teats and oedematous inf iltration of the perineal region, ventral part of the abdomen and umbi licus, often accompanied by exudative-crusted inflammation, then necro sis of the teats. The number of piglets with splayleg and trembling in creased. Gross and histopathological examination revealed enlargement of the ovary and uterus, with signs of follicle maturation in the ovar y, glandular proliferation in the endometrium and epithelial prolifera tion in the vagina in addition to oedema and hyperaemia. In newborn pi glets, the signs of hyperoestrogenism could be induced also experiment ally, by feeding an F-2 toxin containing diet to pregnant sows. Intrau terine toxin effect was found to be primarily responsible for inducing the syndrome in newborn piglets. Because of its lower quantity, F-2 t oxin excreted in the sow's milk is assumed to have a secondary role.