Deoxynivalenol-Contaminated Wheat in Swine Diets

Abstract

Two studies were conducted using Fusarium graminearum-infected (scabby) wheat containing 6.8 ppm deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly called vomitoxin, substituted for normal wheat in starter pig diets to give varying levels of DON. After 3 wk on experimental treatments, one-half of the pigs in trial one were sacrificed to evaluate the effects of DON on heart, kidney, spleen and liver. Analyses for DON residues in these tissues were also performed. The remaining 16 pigs were placed on a conventional diet for 4 wk to evaluate effects of DON on subsequent animal performance. A different sample of scabby wheat containing 4.9 ppm of DON was substituted for sorghum grain in growing-finishing pig diets to give varying concentrations of DON. At the end of the 42-d feeding period, eight pigs were slaughtered to evaluate the effects of DON on selected tissues. Results of the three trials suggest that feed intake was reduced when DON concentrations in the swine diets neared or exceeded 1 ppm. No apparent signs of disease, including vomiting, were observed in experimental animals. Histological evaluation revealed no significant lesions or abnormalities related to DON ingestion in tissues examined. Traces of DON (8 to 28 ppb, wet weight) were found in kidney, liver, spleen and heart of starter pigs consuming the diets containing DON up to time of slaughter. No DON was found in tissues of growing-finishing pigs that were withdrawn from feed about 12 h before slaughter.

The progression of deoxynivalenol-induced growth suppression in nursery pigs and the potential of an algae-modified montmorillonite clay to mitigate these effects12

“…However, in short-term studies on young pigs, the effects of DON on feed efficiency appear more transitory. In several growth studies, overall G:F was not affected by DON exposure (Friend et al, 1984;Pollman et al, 1985;Grosjean et al, 2002). Nonetheless, when reported by phase, pigs regularly have poorer G:F during the initial period (Pollman et al, 1985; Frobose et al, 2015).…”

“…In several growth studies, overall G:F was not affected by DON exposure (Friend et al, 1984;Pollman et al, 1985;Grosjean et al, 2002). Nonetheless, when reported by phase, pigs regularly have poorer G:F during the initial period (Pollman et al, 1985; Frobose et al, 2015). This is consistent with the poorer G:F reported in experiments with shorter durations (5 to 9 d; He et al, 1993;Li et al, 2011).…”

“…The severity seems to be dose-dependent, and fluctuations may be related to contradictory feed efficiency effects (Etienne and Waché, 2008). Some reports have observed DON effects lessening over time (Friend et al, 1984;Pollman et al, 1985), but this phenomenon is not well-characterized.…”

Effects of feeding diets containing Fusarium (naturally) contaminated wheat or pure deoxynivalenol (DON) in growing pigs

“…, 1986b(Friend et aL. , 1986cPollmann et al 1985;Chavez and Rheaume 1986;Foster et al 1986;Marpegan et al 1988). The subsequent improvements in intake and gain are also typical.…”

“…Pigs are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of DON in their diet and exhibit reduced feed intake and weisht gains at concentrations equal to or lower than 2 mg kg--1 diet (Friend et al 1982;Pollmann et al 1985) and vomiting at concentrations greater than 20 mg kg -r diet (Young et al 1983;Trenholm et al 1988). However, the extent ofthe refusal of Fusaium contaminated feed in pigs may not always be related to the concentration of DON (Foster et al 1986).…”