Fate of Transgenic DNA from Orally Administered Bt MON810 Maize and Effects on Immune Response and Growth in Pigs

Abstract

We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on immune responses and growth in weanling pigs and determined the fate of the transgenic DNA and protein in-vivo. Pigs were fed a diet containing 38.9% GM or non-GM isogenic parent line maize for 31 days. We observed that IL-12 and IFNγ production from mitogenic stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased (P<0.10) following 31 days of GM maize exposure. While Cry1Ab-specific IgG and IgA were not detected in the plasma of GM maize-fed pigs, the detection of the cry1Ab gene and protein was limited to the gastrointestinal digesta and was not found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, muscle, heart or blood. Feeding GM maize to weanling pigs had no effect on growth performance or body weight. IL-6 and IL-4 production from isolated splenocytes were increased (P<0.05) in response to feeding GM maize while the proportion of CD4+ T cells in the spleen decreased. In the ileum, the proportion of B cells and macrophages decreased while the proportion of CD4+ T cells increased in GM maize-fed pigs. IL-8 and IL-4 production from isolated intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes were also increased (P<0.05) in response to feeding GM maize. In conclusion, there was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or protein translocation to the organs and blood of weaning pigs. The growth of pigs was not affected by feeding GM maize. Alterations in immune responses were detected; however, their biologic relevance is questionable.

Detection of genetically modified food in digesta and organs of rats fed transgenic potato

“…Although regulatory agencies issued precise frameworks for adoption of transgenic crops, concerns about the safety of transgenic products still remain (Walsh et al, 2011). Among the most discussable aspects of transgenic crops are toxicity and allergencity (Dona and Arvanitoyannis, 2009).…”

“…The fate of recombinant feed and food DNA in the GIT of animals and its potential absorption and transfer to other tissues was reported by many researchers. The digestive fate of recombinant DNA and protein from transgenic plants has been studied in rats, fish, cattle, sheep, poultry and pigs (El-Sanhoty et al, 2006;Sharma et al, 2006;Walsh et al, 2011;Swiatkiewicz et al, 2014). In the studies using transgenic crops (maize, rice, potato, soyabean) no adverse effects on the nutrition of rats, chickens, broiler chickens, catfish, dairy cattle, bulls and sheep have been shown (Duggan et al, 2003;He et al, 2009;Snell et al, 2012).…”

The role of biotechnology in agricultural production and food supply

“…It has been described that Bt toxin has immunogenic properties, whose effects have been identified in mice and pigs (Andreassen et al, 2014;Walsh et al, 2011). Pigs fed a GMO diet had a larger uterus and presented severe stomach inflammation compared with pigs fed a comparable non-GMO diet (Carman et al, 2013).…”

Internal quality control of an enzyme-linked immunoassay for Cry1Ab toxin detection applied in animal tissues

“…Results of Cry1Ab toxin concentrations determined in porcine tissue samples were available from pig feeding studies (WALSH et al, 2011BUZOIANU et al, 2012). Organ samples were heart, kidney, spleen, liver, muscle, lymph node, brain, and serum of pigs fed with GM MON 810 (PR34N44) and non-GM isogenic maize (PR34N43).…”

“…To study possible occurrence of Cry1Ab in porcine tissues, feeding studies with PR34N44 Bt-maize were performed (WALSH et al, 2011;BUZOIANU et al, 2012;WALSH et al, 2012), and results indicated that appearance or detection success of Bt toxin in different tissues is not uniform. Cry1Ab was positively detected in stomach content and digesta samples, but fell below the LOD for other tissues.…”