PORCINE INFORMATION by SPECIES
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Are porcine animals affected by mycotoxins?
Mycotoxins currently pose the main danger for the porcine production and feeding sector in terms of feed safety, given the likelihood of occurrence and severity of outcomes (economic losses related to reduced production) and indirect effects thereof (mycotoxins in animal tissues).
What types of mycotoxin mainly affect porcine animals?
Aflatoxins
Ingestion of themyoctoxins
(AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)
is the causative agent of a poisoning called mycotoxicosis.
Ochratoxin A
Theintoxications produced
(OTA) y/o Citrinina
by mycotoxins can be acute, subacute or chronic, since
Trichothecenes
their effects depend on the
Group A:
dose received and the time of
Toxin T-2
exposure and, logically, on the
Group B:
toxin involved.
Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin) Zearalenone Fumonisins (FB1, FB2)
REFERENCE LEVELS OF MAIN MYCOTOXINS AFFECTING PORCINE ANIMALS Maximum level (ppb)
Alert level (ppb)
DON
900
250
T2
1000
50
DAS
2000
50
ZEA Piglets and primiparas Bait and reproducers
100 250
100 250
OCRA A
50
25
5000
2500
20
20
6000
500
FUM (B1+B2) Aflatoxin Ergot
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At what stage of production mycotoxins generate most problems?
In porcine production acute clinical
Though the influence of chronic
effects of mycotoxins are observed on:
subclinical effects on porcine animals
Digestive and immune system
should also not be ignored (increased
(weight loss, predisposition to
conversion rates, susceptibility
diseases of infectious origin, etc.)
to infectious diseases, decreased
Reproduction (abortions and infertility, weak piglets, etc.)
longevity in sows and boars, etc.) as it poses continuous loss of production efficiency, genetic potential and farm profitability.
Which organs mycotoxins affect and what are the patologies produced?
AFLATOXINS (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 AFG2)
TRICHOTHECENES Group B
Hepatic injury
Decreased feed intake and
Increased mortality
growth
Abortions Poor feed efficiency Toxic effects of mycotoxins
Vulvovaginitis
Carcinogenic effects
Elongation of uterus
are determined by the dose of ingestion, duration of
ZEARALENONE
Decrease in food intake
Sterility OCHRATOXIN A (OTA)
exposure, interaction with other toxic substances and genetic
Severe renal failure
susceptibility of the animal.
Polyuria (increased urination) Polydipsia (increased water
Testicular atrophy in boars Abortions Diarrhoea Body weight loss Splay leg in piglets
Affected metabolic organs are
intake)
- liver, kidneys and lungs - but
Poor growth
mycotoxins can also affect the
Alteration in feed
nervous system, immune system
conversion rate
Histological lesions of severe
and reproductive system.
Diarrhoea
interlobular pulmonary edema
FUMONISINS (FB1, FB2)
Liver apoptosis and biliary TRICHOTHECENES Group A (TOXIN T2)
retention
Hemorrhages and enteritis
Increased serum levels of AST,
Reduced feed intake
GGT and bilirubin
Vomiting Total rejection of feed Immunosuppression
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In which raw materials do we find mycotoxins that affect porcine animals?
Aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2)
Ocratoxin A (OTA) y/o Citrinin
Trichothecenes Group A: Toxina T-2
Trichothecenes Group B: Doxynivalenol (DON or also vomitoxin)
Zearalenone
Fumonisins (FB1, FB2)
Corn Cotton Wheat Peanuts Sorghum Barley Rye Oats
What detection methods are used to detect mycotoxins in porcine?
Mycotoxins in feed are commonly
CHROMATOGRAPHY AND
detected and quantified using
SPECTROMETRY
antibody-based assays and
( HPLC , GG/MS AND LC-MS/MS)
chromatography techniques.
High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas
ELISA TEST The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an antibody-based assay that is commonly used for mycotoxins detection. There are several commercial ELISA kits available for Aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, Fumonisins, Ochratoxins and Zearalenone. ELISA is one of the most affordable methods for mycotoxins detection, but its limit of detection for many mycotoxins often exceeds 0.2 ppm.
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are two of the most commonly used methods for the detection and quantification of mycotoxins. HPLC and GC/MS, apart from having detection limit of <0.05 ppm for many mycotoxins, also require expensive equipment and technical support. LC-MS/MS is a technique that can analyse all mycotoxins, with increased sensitivity, precision and reproducibility. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS / MS) is nowadays the most commonly used method for evaluation of mycotoxins and the most reliable way of their quantification.
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How do we prevent from and/ or fight against mycotoxins in porcine production?
Handling mycotoxin
The complete elimination of
contamination and health
mycotoxins contamination seems
consequences in animal
to be practically impossible.
production pose increasing challenges for food security and safety systems of the consumer. Prevention against mycotoxins should start with the elimination or reduction of fungal growth in plants, without forgetting the storage of grains. In addition to controlling temperature and
Mycotoxins are always present, at least in small amounts, and the effects of the presence of those small amounts of diverse mycotoxins results in synergistics effects that can be greater than the sum of the individual effects of each type of mycotoxin.
humidity using aeration, it is advisable to use fungal inhibitors
Prevention against mycotoxins
and to use protection against
is necessary and the use of
damage caused by insects and
detoxifying or adsorbing agents
rodents.
in porcine rations is essential.
Despite all the efforts made in order to reduce the level of mycotoxins in feed ingredients, there is always a certain degree of contamination that may pose a risk to livestock animals.
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