Effects of Mycotoxins in ruminants

RUMINANTS INFORMATION by SPECIES

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Are ruminants affected by mycotoxins?

The presence of mycotoxins in feed influences animal growth and, in case of ruminants in particular, on the quality of milk.

What types of mycotoxins mainly affect ruminants?

Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2) Ochratoxin A (OTA) y/o Citrinina Trichothecenes Group A: Toxina T-2 Group B: Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin) Zearalenone Fumonisinas (FB1, FB2)

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At what stage of production do mycotoxins create most problems?

In dairy production, one of the

In addition, ruminant livestock is

biggest risk comes from dairy cattle

also affected by Zearalenone and

fed with AFB1 contaminated feed

Trichothecenes, while being poorly

and it results in milk contaminated

sensitive to Ochratoxin A.

with Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1).

Aflatoxin B1 is metabolized by enzymes found primarily in the liver, to AFM1 which is excreted through urine and milk.

Which organs mycotoxins affect and what are the pathologies produced?

AFLATOXINS (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 AFG2) Carcinogenic effects Hepatic injury Decrease in milk production Poor alimentation efficiency

OCHRATOXIN A (OTA) Reduced sensitivity to Ochratoxin

ZEARALENONE Decrease in milk production Infertility Reproductive disorders Decreased food intake

FUMONISINS (FB1, FB2) Histological lesions of severe interlobular pulmonary edema

TRICHOTHECENES Type A (TOXIN T2) Immunosuppression in calves Decrease in milk production Decreased protein content of milk

Liver apoptosis and biliary retention Increased serum levels of AST, GGT and bilirubin

Lower intake

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In which raw materials the main mycotoxins affecting ruminants are found?

Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)

Ocratoxin A (OTA) y/o Citrinin

Trichothecenes Group A: Toxina T-2

Trichothecenes Group B: Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin)

Zearalenone

Fumonisins (FB1, FB2)

Corn Cotton Wheat Peanuts Sorghum Barley Rye Oats

What detection methods are used to detect mycotoxins in ruminants?

Mycotoxins in feed are commonly

CHROMATOGRAPHY AND

detected and quantified using

SPECTROMETRY

antibody-based assays and

( HPLC , GG/MS AND LC-MS/MS)

chromatography techniques.

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas

ELISA TEST The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an antibody-based assay that is commonly used for mycotoxins detection.

There are several commercial ELISA kits available for Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins and Zearalenone.

ELISA is one of the most affordable methods for mycotoxins detection, but its limit of detection for many mycotoxins often exceeds 0.2 ppm.

chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are two of the most commonly used methods for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins.

HPLC and GC/MS, apart from having detection limit of <0.05 ppm for many mycotoxins, also require expensive equipment and technical support.

LC-MS/MS is a system that covers all main mycotoxins, and can detect and quntify mycotxoins with increased sensitivity, precision and reproducibility level. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) is nowadays the most commonnly used method for evaluation of mycotoxins and the most reliable way of their quantification.

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How do we prevent from and/or fight against mycotoxins in ruminants ?

Handling mycotoxin

The complete elimination of

contamination and health

mycotoxin contamination seems

consequences in animal

to be practically impossible.

production pose increasing challenges for food security and

Mycotoxins are always present,

safety systems of the consumer.

at least in small amounts, and the effects of the presence of

Prevention against mycotoxins

those small amounts of diverse

should start with the elimination

mycotoxins results in synergistics

or reduction of fungal growth

effects that can greater than the

in plants, without forgetting the

sum of the individual effects of

storage of grains. In addition

each type of mycotoxin.

to controlling temperature and humidity using aeration, it is

Prevention against mycotoxins

advisable to use fungal inhibitors

is necessary and the use of

and to use protection against

detoxifying or adsorbing agents

damage caused by insects and

in ruminant rations is essential.

rodents.

Despite all the efforts made in order to reduce the level of mycotoxins in feed ingredients, there is always a certain degree of contamination that may pose a risk to livestock animals.

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