Effects of Diets with Graded Levels of Naturally Deoxynivalenol‐contaminated Oats on Immune Response in Growing Pigs

Abstract

Summary A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of including different levels of deoxynivalenol (DON)‐contaminated oats in the complete diets of growing pigs on immune response and performance. The diets contained 0.6, 1.8 and 4.7 mg DON/kg, and both restricted and ad libitum feeding were used. Performance was recorded as weight gain, feed intake, efficiency of feed utilization and carcass quality. Immune response parameters recorded included primary and secondary antibody titres after injections of five different antigens: Human serum albumin (HSA), sheep red blood cells (SRBC), paratuberculosis vaccine (MPT), tetanus toxoid (TT) and diphteria toxoid (DT). A johnin test was also performed. Lymphocyte stimulation response was measured with three different mitogens (PWM, ConA and PHA). A significant, DON dose‐dependent reduction in secondary antibody response to tetanus toxoid was observed. A slightly higher mitogen response after PHA stimulation in lymphocytes from the medium and high DON groups compared to the low DON group after 9 weeks was considered inconclusive. No other indication of dose‐dependent immune response inhibition or stimulation was found. Significantly reduced feed intake with increased levels of DON was observed in groups fed restricted rations according to weight, but not in animals fed ad libitum.

Effects of Fusarium toxins on growth, humoral immune response and internal organs in weaner pigs, and the efficacy of apple pomace as an antidote

“…The fact that DON had no effect on the immune response to vaccination is in accordance with the studies of Rotter et al. (1994), Overnes et al. (1997), Swamy et al.…”

On the Effects of a Chronic Deoxynivalenol Intoxication on Performance, Haematological and Serum Parameters of Pigs when Diets are Offered Either for Ad Libitum Consumption or Fed Restrictively

“…On the contrary, Bergsjø et al (1993) assessed a significant reduction of feed utilization in fattening pigs (21.3-100 kg) after feeding a diet containing 3.5 mg DON/kg ad libitum. Other studies (Rotter et al, 1994;Swamy et al, 2003;Øvernes et al, 1997) even revealed an increase in feed efficiency, and supposed that pigs adjusted to reduced feed intake by improving feed utilization. However, Da¨nicke et al (2004a) inferred no significant effects on performance when fattening pigs were fed with increasing DON concentration (0.2, 0.7, 1.2, 2.5 and 3.7 mg/kg) from wheat inoculated artificially with Fusarium culmorum.…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to Deoxynivalenol (DON) as undesirable substance in animal feed

“…Feeding trials where naturally or artificially infected material has been mixed into the diet show decreased feed consumption and weight gain in pigs already at doses from 0.6 -2 mg DON/kg feed Overnes et al, 1997;Bergsjö et al, 1993bYoung et al, 1983. The consumption of DON-contaminated feed has been associated also with epithelial lesions in the oesophageal region of the stomach when pigs have been given naturally infected feed containing from about 3 -6 mg DON/kg feed Foster et al, 1986;Friend et al, 1986bRotter et al, 1992, 1995.…”