Mycotoxins and Swine Performance
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NUTRITION PIH-129 PURDUE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA Mycotoxins and Swine Performance Authors: Reviewers: Mark A. Diekman, Purdue University William L. Flowers, North Carolina State University M. Terry Coffey, Rose Hill, North Carolina Duane Miksch, University of Kentucky E. Dale Purkhiser, Michigan State University Donald H. Scott, Purdue University David E. Reeves, University of Georgia Trevor K. Smith, University of Guelph Les G. Young, University of Guelph Fungi Aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus flavus. This fungus can germinate at lower moisture levels Plants and animals may serve as excellent hosts for of 15% to 17%, but infection and growth require higher many fungi. Spores from fungi (molds) are primarily spread by water and air and come into contact with plants in the field or with grain in storage facilities. Factors that influence the degree of fungal infestation in grain are moisture, tem- perature and availability of oxygen. Other factors such as insect population, physical condition of grain or suscepti- bility of certain grain hybrids will also influence whether fungal proliferation will occur under a given set of environ- mental conditions. In general, the livestock consumption of feedstuffs containing fungi is not toxic. Most fungal-infected grain is not toxic because toxin-producing species of fungi must compete with nontoxic species to grow; only a small por- tion of the fungal species produces toxins; and suitable environmental conditions for fungal growth may be differ- ent from the conditions suitable for toxin production. Qual- ity of the grain can be reduced by fungal infestations, but most problems with livestock consuming fungal-infested grain result from consumption of mycotoxins produced by fungi. Mycotoxins Mycotoxins are toxins produced by fungi on or in grain or feedstuffs when conditions are favorable for their devel- opment. Fungi that produce mycotoxins of economic im- portance to pork producers are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Claviceps and Fusarium. These fungi produce the following mycotoxins: aflatoxins, ochratoxins, ergots, trichothecenes and resorcylic acid lactones (Table 1). Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. A. Wadsworth, Director, West Lafayette, IN. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. We adhere to the policy that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access1 to our programs and facilities. moistures. Aflatoxin production appears to be higher at pared to sows fed uncontaminated feed. Diets containing grain moisture levels of 22% to 26% and temperatures of 1% ergot reduce the growth of pigs. Higher concentrations 82° to 90°F. Conditions for growth are ideal when tempera- cause feed wastage and slow growth. tures remain high both day and night, but growth de- Ergot appears on the heads of rye, barley and wheat creases dramatically at temperatures above 95°F. Although as hard, black, elongated structures that replace kernels Aspergillus flavus is abundant in the southeastem United (sclerotia) at harvest time. The black sclerotia can readily States, drought-stressed corn in Indiana and Illinois in 1978, be seen at harvest. Grain with ergot should be stored 1983, 1988 and 1991 contained aflatoxin in scattered fields. separately and not fed to young pigs and breeding ani- The risk from aflatoxin-contaminated grain depends mals. Growing-finishing swine should not be fed diets with on the age and health of the pig as well as the concentra- more than 10% to 20% of grain contaminated with ergot. tion of the toxin in the feed. Symptoms occur with concen- Trichothecenes. Deoxynivalenol, frequently referred trations in the parts per billion (ppb) range. Small amounts to as DON, feed refusal factor or vomitoxin, is a mycotoxin can depress performance and general well-being. Aflatox- produced by Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) that ins suppress the immune system and thus make pigs more occurs often on corn (Gibberella ear rot), but also on wheat susceptible to bacterial, viral or parasitic diseases. These and barley (Head scab). The fungus develops on corn after more subtle effects are insidious because often they are silking, during cool, damp weather. Visual signs of Fusanum unnoticed. Overtime, profits are reduced due to lost effi- infection of corn include a white to pink to reddish fungus ciency, slower growth and increased medical costs. If lev- starting at the tip of the ear and developing towards the els are high enough, death may result. The direct effects of base. However, there is not necessarily a direct relationship aflatoxin on reproduction have not been determined. between the extent of visual signs and the amount of toxin Aflatoxin B1 has been the most extensively studied produced. Visual examination of corn ears growing in the mycotoxin. Young swine are extremely sensitive to aflatox- field for white to pink to reddish fungus may give an indica- ins but susceptibility decreases with age. At low concen- tion of potential problems. trations (20 to 200 ppb), aflatoxin decreases feed intake, Vomitoxin is most prevalent in the upper midwestem which in turn depresses growth rate and immunity. The United States and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and detrimental effects of aflatoxins may be lessened by alter- Quebec. These areas tend to have shorter growing sea- ing key nutrients in the diet. For example, a reduction in sons and have cool, damp weather during the first month average daily gain was observed when an 18% crude after silking. Since Fusarium graminearum (Gibberella zeae) protein diet was spiked with aflatoxin (182 ppb). If pigs produces both deoxynivalenol and zearalenone, contami- were fed a 20% crude protein diet with the aflatoxin (182 nated feedstuffs may contain both of these mycotoxins. ppb), no reduction in average daily gain was noted. Similar In pigs, vomitoxin at levels above 1 ppm may cause a results were obtained with the addition of .25% L-lysine reduction of feed intake and consequently, rate of gain. As HCL. Adding 5% fat to diets prevented a depression in the dietary concentrations increase above 5 ppm, depres- feed intake, but no improvement in growth was observed. sion of feed intake may become severe and at 10 ppm, there High concentrations of aflatoxin (1,000 to 5,000 ppb) will be a severe feed refusal resulting in weight loss. The result in acute effects, including death. Aflatoxin M1, a me- marginal reduction in feed intake and weight gain caused by tabolite of aflatoxin, has been found in milk of sows fed diets low levels of vomitoxin may contribute to a substantial eco- containing aflatoxin. Piglets nursing sows consuming feed nomic loss and may be more important than vomiting. with 500 to 750 ppb of aflatoxin had increased mortality and Vomiting, as the common name of the toxin implies, is slower growth. Piglets were permanently stunted and per- one of the signs. Vomiting, however, does not usually occur formance was reduced to market weight even through they unless the dietary concentration of the toxin approaches were not exposed to aflatoxin after weaning. 10 ppm or more. At that level, the pig will initially consume Ochratoxin. Ochratoxin A is the best characterized of a sufficient amount of the diet to induce vomiting but, several structural-related mycotoxins produced by Aspergil- thereafter, the pig voluntarily reduces intake so that vomit- lus ochraceus and Penicillium viridicatum. Ochratoxin A is- ing ceases. Thus, one must be present to observe the initial found on a variety of feedstuffs grown on the southeastern vomiting symptom. At concentrations approaching 20 ppm, coast of the United States. Ochratoxin at concentrations vomiting may be observed in pigs within approximately 15 greater than 5 to 10 ppm in feed results in a number of minutes of initial consumption. Feed consumption resumes pathological conditions. These include impairment of kid- almost immediately after highly contaminated feed is re- ney function, blood in the urine, enteritis, necrosis of lymph placed with uncontaminated feed. No other visual signs or nodes and fatty liver changes. Ochratoxins have been found gross pathology are apparent with vomitoxin. in wheat, barley, oats, corn, dry beans and peanuts. The Resorcylic acid lactones. Of all mycotoxins produced economic impact of ochratoxins has not been determined. in feedstuffs, zearalenone affects reproduction most seri- Ergot. Claviceps purpurea invades rye, wheat and ously since it mimics the reproductive steroids of the estro- barley plants and produces alkaloid toxins termed ergot. gen family. Estrogenic compounds naturally produced by Ergot reduces weight gain, lowers reproductive efficiency plants are commonly referred to as phytoestrogens. and promotes agalactia (lack of milk flow) in several live- Zearalenone is produced by Fusarium graminearum stock species. Signs of ergotism include staggers, convul- (Gibberella zeae). It may occur with deoxynivalenol in scabby sions, temporary posterior paralysis and loss of blood flow wheat and in many cases with Gibberella ear rot of corn. to limbs, ears and the tail. This loss of blood flow some- Zearalenone contamination is more likely to occur in stor- times leads to gangrene and eventual loss of extremities. age than in the field. Sows fed a diet containing .5% to 1.0% ergot develop Of all domestic species and stages of maturity, the agalactia and farrow fewer and smaller live pigs as com- prepuberal gilt is the most sensitive to zearalenone. The 2 genital system of immature gilts exhibits gross and histo- of mature boars. Similarly, mature boars consuming feed logic changes after ingestion of zearalenone. Gross changes with 200 ppm zearalenone have normal libido scores and include reddening of the vulva, increased size and weight normal sperm concentrations when compared with boars of the uterus and mammary enlargement. In extreme cases, consuming a normal ration. When prepuberal boars con- rectal and vaginal prolapses may occur.