Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of aflatoxin levels in diet on milk production and composition, reproduction problems and indices and lameness in dairy cattle. To determine the levels of total aflatoxin and B1, B2, G1 and G2 in the feedstuff and M1 in the milk, samples from two different dairy farms; A, low aflatoxin level (13.01 µg/kg) and B, high aflatoxin level (110.63 µg/kg), were collected and the determination of aflatoxin levels was performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Milk yield and composition were measured during 60 days postpartum. Clinical examination and record data was used to indicate lameness and reproduction problems and indices during 50 to 100 days postpartum. The results showed that increase in the levels of aflatoxin concentration in the feedstuff was responsible for the increase in aflatoxin M1 in milk samples. Also, levels of aflatoxin in diet and milk caused retained placenta which is a reproduction problem. Aflatoxin levels in feed and milk did not significantly increase reproduction indices and milk composition. However, prevalence of lameness was significantly affected by milk aflatoxin level (P ≤ 0.05). It was concluded that there was a significant relationship between aflatoxin levels with lameness and retained placenta. Key words: Aflatoxin, diet, milk, reproduction, lameness, dairy cattle.
Highlights
Overall, fungi decrease the quality of nutrients and cause reproductive failure by making chemical compounds called mycotoxin
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of aflatoxin levels in diet on milk production and composition, reproduction problems and indices and lameness in dairy cattle
The results showed that increase in the levels of aflatoxin concentration in the feedstuff was responsible for the increase in aflatoxin M1 in milk samples
Summary
Fungi decrease the quality of nutrients and cause reproductive failure by making chemical compounds called mycotoxin. Mycotoxins cause different economical damage in agriculture and veterinary. Mycotoxins have estrogenic structure they have negative effects on reproductive indices and cause decrease in growth and food intake as well as damage the main organic part of animal's body (Kabar et al, 2006; Whitlow and Halger, 2002; Zheng et al, 2005). Potential aflatoxin poisoning depend on different factors like the type of aflatoxin, dosage, duration of effect, age, nutritional situation, metabolism and immune mechanisms of the animal's body. Aflatoxins have biological effects like decreasing reproductive ability and fertility, lameness and damage of kidney, liver and respiratory system. Growth of aflatoxin in diet and increase in the rate of this toxin from the critical range(20 in diet and 0.5μg/kg in milk) cause decrease in fertility and reproductive ability in animals (Kabar et al, 2006; Zheng et al, 2005; Ozsoy's et al, 2005; Gary et al, 2004)
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