EFFECTS OF NATURALLY PRODUCED DIETARY <i>FUSARIUM</i> MYCOTOXINS ON WEANING PIGS

Abstract

Mycotoxins reduce animal productivity and animal health. The influence of Fusarium mycotoxins in corn co-products on pig performance is an important issue in swine feed industry. This study was conducted to determine the effects of naturally produced Fusarium mycotoxins in Corn Gluten Meal (CGM) on growth performance of nursery pigs. A total 96 weaning pigs comprising 48 gilts and 48 barrows with an initial body weight of 5.08 kg (SD = 1.28) were grouped into 3 blocks in each sex by initial body weight and randomly allotted to 4 treatments in a randomized complete block design. There were 6 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs were housed in each pen. The 4 experimental diets mainly based on corn, CGM, dried whey and soybean meal were formulated to contain 4 concentrations of mycotoxins derived from the contaminated CGM. Diet 1 contained 32 µg kg −1 Deoxynivalenol (DON) and 6 µg kg During the overall experimental period, both ADG and ADFI linearly depressed with increasing concentration of mycotoxins (p<0.05).In conclusion, the current study showed that dietary Fusarium mycotoxins derived from contaminated CGM by Fusarium fungi resulted in decreased growth performance of nursery pigs. Swine nutritionists may increase nutrient concentrations of diets to partially overcome the negeative effects of Fusarium mycotoxins in corn co-products on feed intake of pigs.

Equations to Predict Growth Performance Changes by Dietary Deoxynivalenol in Pigs

“…The negative correlation between dietary DON and ΔFI in the present work ( Table 1 ) is in agreement with previous reports [ 3 , 6 ]. The steepness of the slope in these prediction equations ( Figure 2 ) was less than the slope reported by Mok et al [ 8 ], indicating that these novel equations developed with additional recent data would estimate less ΔWG and ΔFI per DON concentration compared with previously published prediction equations [ 8 ].…”

“…Frequent occurrence of mycotoxins in feedstuffs has been reported due to fungal growth before harvesting of grains and their long-term storage in a humid climate [ 1 , 2 ]. Deoxynivalenol (DON), one of mycotoxins generated by the Fusarium fungus, can decrease feed intake (FI) that cause growth retardation in weaning pigs [ 3 ]. Moreover, DON can decrease the ileal digestibility of lysine, threonine, and tryptophan in corn-soybean meal-based diets [ 4 ] and villus height of jejunum in pigs [ 5 , 6 ].…”

An In Vitro Study on the Efficacy of Mycotoxin Sequestering Agents for Aflatoxin B1, Deoxynivalenol, and Zearalenone

“…Sequestering rate, % = (initial toxin -residual toxin) ÷ initial toxin × 100 (1) where initial toxin (ng/mL) is the initial concentration of mycotoxin (AFB1, DON, or ZEA) in the digestion conical tube, while residual toxin (ng/mL) is the concentration of mycotoxin (AFB1, DON, or ZEA) unbound by mycotoxin sequestering agent in the conical tube after the digestion procedure. The concentration of unbound AFB1, DON, or ZEA by mycotoxin sequestering agent was calculated in comparison to the control group containing no mycotoxin sequestering agent.…”

“…Mycotoxins in feeds can have detrimental effects on the growth performance and health of pigs [1][2][3]. Aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEA) often occur in the feed ingredients of pigs during the production of plants and the feed production process.…”

“…Aflatoxin is produced by Aspergillus fungi, and DON and ZEA are generated by Fusarium fungi. Mycotoxins in feedstuffs have been reported to cause harmful effects on the immune system, ileal amino acid digestibility, feed intake, and body weight gain in pigs [1,2,4], indicating that dietary mycotoxins can cause economic losses in swine production. Meta-analyses on the influence of mycotoxins in swine diets have shown dose-dependent reductions in the feed intake and body weight gain of pigs by dietary aflatoxin, DON, and ZEA [5][6][7].…”