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Prairie Swine Centre is an affiliate of the University of Saskatchewan
Prairie Swine Centre is grateful for the assistance of the George Morris Centre in developing the economics portion of Pork Insight.
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Major effects of mycotoxins on swine performance
Posted in: Nutrition, Pork Insight Articles, Prairie Swine Centre by admin on May 9, 2017
| Mycotoxin | Primary Effect | Stage Affected | Clinical Signs |
| Deoxynivalenol
(DON, vomitoxin) |
Affects serotonin receptors and cytokine production | All stages (younger pigs may be more susceptible) | Reduced ADFI and ADG1,2
Vomiting2 Diarrhea (soft or watery feces)3 Reduced immune function3 Mild changes to kidney, thyroid, blood4 |
| Aflatoxins | Mutagenic and carcinogenic | All stages | Reduced ADFI and ADG5
Reduced milk production5 Lethargy6 Ataxia (lack of coordination)6 Rough hair coat6 Hemorrhage6 Fatty liver6 |
| Zearalenone | Estrogenic | Pre-pubertal gilts, sows and pre-pubertal boars | Swelling and reddening of the vulva7
Vaginal and/or rectal prolapse7 Anestrus8 Reduced litter size8 Fetal resorption8 Implantation failure8 Decreased libido and testosterone9 Feminization9
|
| Ochratoxin A | Disrupts phenylalanine (an amino acid) metabolism | All stages | Kidney damage10
Decreased ADFI and ADG11 Immunosuppression, increased risk of infection12 |
| Fumonisins | Disrupts lipid metabolism | All stages, especially young pigs | Pulmonary edema3
Reduced immunity3 Decreased ADFI and ADG13 Shortness of breath3 Weakness3 Cyanosis (blue/purple colour of skin/membranes)3 |
| T-2 and HT-2 Toxins | Inhibits protein synthesis | All stages | Unthriftiness6
Low ADFI and ADG6 Reproductive failure6 Gastric upset (diarrhea)6 Cellular necrosis6 Immunosuppression 6 |
| Ergot Alkaloids
|
Neurological | All stages, especially the reproductive herd | Lameness14
Gangrene14 Decreased ADG14 Abortion14 Agalactia (absence of milk production)14 Ataxia14 |
1Decreased ADFI and feed refusals have been shown at levels as low as 0.5-1 ppm (Smith et al., 2005), 2 > 2-5 ppm is for decreased ADFI and ADG, vomiting and complete feed refusal at > 20 ppm (Haschek et al., 2002), 3Pierce and Diaz, 2014, 4JECFA, 2001, 5Nibbelink, 1986, 6Whitlow et al., 2014, 7Friend et al., 1990 , 8Smith et al., 2005, 9Osweiller, 1986, 10Kidney damage occurs at levels as low as 0.5 ppm (Lippold et al., 1992), 11Performance is affected at levels of 2 ppm or greater (Lippold et al., 1992; Stoev et al., 2000), 12Can occur when levels > 2 ppm are fed for longer periods of time (Harvey et al., 1992), 13ADG reduced by 11% when 10 ppm fumonisin B1 was fed to starter pigs for 8 weeks (Rotter et al., 1996), 14Strickland et al., 2011