Effects of mycotoxins in Swine

PORCINE INFORMATION by SPECIES

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Are porcine animals affected by mycotoxins?

Mycotoxins currently pose the main danger for the porcine production and feeding sector in terms of feed safety, given the likelihood of occurrence and severity of outcomes (economic losses related to reduced production) and indirect effects thereof (mycotoxins in animal tissues).

What types of mycotoxin mainly affect porcine animals?

Aflatoxins

Ingestion of themyoctoxins

(AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)

is the causative agent of a poisoning called mycotoxicosis.

Ochratoxin A

Theintoxications produced

(OTA) y/o Citrinina

by mycotoxins can be acute, subacute or chronic, since

Trichothecenes

their effects depend on the

Group A:

dose received and the time of

Toxin T-2

exposure and, logically, on the

Group B:

toxin involved.

Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin) Zearalenone Fumonisins (FB1, FB2)

REFERENCE LEVELS OF MAIN MYCOTOXINS AFFECTING PORCINE ANIMALS Maximum level (ppb)

Alert level (ppb)

DON

900

250

T2

1000

50

DAS

2000

50

ZEA Piglets and primiparas Bait and reproducers

100 250

100 250

OCRA A

50

25

5000

2500

20

20

6000

500

FUM (B1+B2) Aflatoxin Ergot

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At what stage of production mycotoxins generate most problems?

In porcine production acute clinical

Though the influence of chronic

effects of mycotoxins are observed on:

subclinical effects on porcine animals

Digestive and immune system

should also not be ignored (increased

(weight loss, predisposition to

conversion rates, susceptibility

diseases of infectious origin, etc.)

to infectious diseases, decreased

Reproduction (abortions and infertility, weak piglets, etc.)

longevity in sows and boars, etc.) as it poses continuous loss of production efficiency, genetic potential and farm profitability.

Which organs mycotoxins affect and what are the patologies produced?

AFLATOXINS (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 AFG2)

TRICHOTHECENES Group B

Hepatic injury

Decreased feed intake and

Increased mortality

growth

Abortions Poor feed efficiency Toxic effects of mycotoxins

Vulvovaginitis

Carcinogenic effects

Elongation of uterus

are determined by the dose of ingestion, duration of

ZEARALENONE

Decrease in food intake

Sterility OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)

exposure, interaction with other toxic substances and genetic

Severe renal failure

susceptibility of the animal.

Polyuria (increased urination) Polydipsia (increased water

Testicular atrophy in boars Abortions Diarrhoea Body weight loss Splay leg in piglets

Affected metabolic organs are

intake)

- liver, kidneys and lungs - but

Poor growth

mycotoxins can also affect the

Alteration in feed

nervous system, immune system

conversion rate

Histological lesions of severe

and reproductive system.

Diarrhoea

interlobular pulmonary edema

FUMONISINS (FB1, FB2)

Liver apoptosis and biliary TRICHOTHECENES Group A (TOXIN T2)

retention

Hemorrhages and enteritis

Increased serum levels of AST,

Reduced feed intake

GGT and bilirubin

Vomiting Total rejection of feed Immunosuppression

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In which raw materials do we find mycotoxins that affect porcine animals?

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 porcine?

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 technique that can analyse all mycotoxins, with increased sensitivity, precision and reproducibility. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS / MS) is nowadays the most commonly 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 porcine production?

Handling mycotoxin

The complete elimination of

contamination and health

mycotoxins contamination seems

consequences in animal

to be practically impossible.

production pose increasing challenges for food security and safety systems of the consumer.

Prevention against mycotoxins should start with the elimination or reduction of fungal growth in plants, without forgetting the storage of grains. In addition to controlling temperature and

Mycotoxins are always present, at least in small amounts, and the effects of the presence of those small amounts of diverse mycotoxins results in synergistics effects that can be greater than the sum of the individual effects of each type of mycotoxin.

humidity using aeration, it is advisable to use fungal inhibitors

Prevention against mycotoxins

and to use protection against

is necessary and the use of

damage caused by insects and

detoxifying or adsorbing agents

rodents.

in porcine rations is essential.

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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