Preventing Feedborne Fusarium Mycotoxins in Sows with Mycosorb (Part 3)
During Alltech’s 23rd International Feed Industry Symposium held in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, from May 20-23, 2007, Drs. Trevor K. Smith and Gabriel Diaz-Llano, mycotoxin experts from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, presented a highly-informative paper entitled “Effects of Feedborne Fusarium Mycotoxins on Metabolism and Reproduction in Gestating and Lactating Sows: Response to Mycosorb.” Using this technical paper as our reference material and guide, we’ll let the mycotoxin experts answer some of the frequently asked questions (FA Qs) on the proper detoxification of these profit-robbing mycotoxins.
Question: There are numerous reports indicating that weanling piglets and growing and finishing pigs are particularly sensitive to feedborne Fusarium mycotoxins. What is the major symptom observed in pigs consuming deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin)-contaminated feed?
Answer: The major symptom seen is reduced feed intake resulting from altered brain neurochemistry including elevated brain concentrations of serotonin. Other symptoms include reduced tissue protein synthesis and immunomodulation.