Evaluation of two toxin binders effectivness in reducing zearalenone toxic effects on gilts

Abstract

Zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin recognized with estrogenic effects, has a contaminant prevalence in corn, sorghum and wheat, mainly being produced by fungi: Fusarium graminearum, and other species such as culmorum and tricintum. Zearalenone effects are estrogenic. Being swine one of the most sensitive animals. Gilts often present hyperestrogenism and manifest as vulvovaginitis and mammary glands enlargement. The objective of this study was to assess ZEA toxic effects in gilts, during 52 days period, consuming naturally contaminated feed, using 1200 ppb levels (ZEA) and verify two commercial toxin binders efficiency to reduce their potential detrimental effects. 24 recently weaned gilts were selected; first seven days were for adaptation, then each gilt was assigned within one of the four experimental groups identified as: 1) control diet without ZEA, 2) positive control diet with 1,200 ppb of ZEA, 3) challenge diet with 1,200 ppb of ZEA and 1.5 kg / t of organoaluminosilicate, 4) challenge diet with 1,200 ppb of ZEA and 1.5 kg / t of Aluminosilicate + yeast cell walls. The obtained information was analyzed through the statistical software SYSTAT, by the Tukey test where the difference of means was defined. The significance value was based on a p < 0.05. There were statistically significant differences in reproductive tract weight and length, vulva volume and cervix width between treatments.