Application of mycotoxin adsorbent to cattle feed contaminated with zearalenone: urinary zearalenone excretion and association with anti-Müllerian hormone

Abstract

This study investigated (1) protective effects of a commercially available mycotoxin adsorbent (MA) and (2) endocrine effects of in vivo exposure to zearalenone (ZEA) in cattle. The sample included a Japanese Black female cattle herd (MYT herd) that displayed persistently high urinary ZEA concentrations. A second herd (NM herd) was used as a control. Three groups from each herd were assessed: MX (n=6; MA mixed with concentrate), TD (n=6; MA applied as topdressing with the concentrate), and a positive control (n=6; no MA application). Urine and blood samples were collected at the start of MA supplementation (day 0), on the final day of supplementation (day 16), and on the final day of the sampling period (day 58 for MYT herd and day 50 for NM herd). Urinary ZEA concentrations (pg/mg of creatinine) were measured by ELISA and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Haematological and serum biochemical analyses were performed to monitor hepatic, renal, nutritional, and mineral intake statuses. Ovulation status was assessed by progesterone (P4) and antral follicle population by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. The urinary concentrations of ZEA and its metabolites in the MX and TD groups were significantly lower (P<0.05) at day 16 compared with the control group, as measured by LC-MS/MS. The valid ratio of AMH-positive (≯0.08 ng/ml) cattle was significantly higher in the NM herd than in the MYT herd without affecting the P4-positive (≯3 ng/ml) ratio, suggesting different populations of antral follicles. Significant differences were also observed between the MX and the control in aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase at day 58, suggesting preventive effects of MA supplementation. Our field trial indicated that MA supplementation of a ZEA-contaminated diet has beneficial effects in reducing ZEA absorption from the intestine of cattle, maintaining endocrine homeostasis and reversing hepatic effects.

Effects of Dietary Contamination by Zearalenone and Its Metabolites on Serum Anti‐Müllerian Hormone: Impact on the Reproductive Performance of Breeding Cows

“…Recently, in a preliminary study, we reported the possible effects of in vivo exposure to this level of contamination of ZEA and its metabolites on the population of antral follicles, as assessed by significantly lower serum AMH levels measured in the stocked serum samples from the above‐mentioned ZEA‐contaminated herd (Fushimi et al. ). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between urinary ZEA, including its metabolites, and serum AMH concentrations in commercial breeding cattle herds exposed to lower ZEA contamination levels.…”

“…Before starting the experiment, the ZEA level in the dietary feed of both herds was measured via liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), as previously described (Fushimi et al. ). The concentrations of ZEA in the fescue grass, oats hay and concentrates fed to cows in Herd 1 were <0.01, 0.1 and <0.01 ppm, respectively.…”

“…The comparison of urine and serum samples of some animals from this highly contaminated herd with samples from a control herd given the same feed except for the rice straw suggested that the contamination of dietary feed with ZEA and its metabolites affects AMH concentration in the serum of cattle herds (Fushimi et al. ). However, the effect of different levels of ZEA contamination in feed on AMH endocrine levels has not yet been established.…”

Review on Mycotoxin Issues in Ruminants: Occurrence in Forages, Effects of Mycotoxin Ingestion on Health Status and Animal Performance and Practical Strategies to Counteract Their Negative Effects

“…In addition, several field or case reports in which a direct relationship between ZEA exposition levels and symptoms of estrogenic effects was not found were reported [ 260 ], suggesting this might reflect the variability in rumen degradation of ZEA. Recent experiences tried to relate exposure of dairy cows to ZEA contaminated diet on herd level by measuring urinary metabolites [ 261 , 262 , 263 ]. Authors suggested that monitoring urinary ZEA concentrations could represent an useful tool to predict animal exposure to ZEA and other Fusarium toxins.…”

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for Metabolite Profiling of Japanese Black Cattle Naturally Contaminated with Zearalenone and Sterigmatocystin

“…Those reports are mainly based on clinical symptoms observed in field studies or following the experimental administration of mycotoxin to cattle, occasionally with concomitant biochemical analysis. However, risk evaluations concerning the metabolic status of cattle exposed to mycotoxin contamination are lacking [ 3 ].…”