Abstract
We intended to assess how exposure of piglets to deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated feed impacted their growth, immune response and gut development. Piglets were fed traditional Phase I, Phase II and Phase III diets with the control group receiving 0.20–0.40 ppm DON (referred to as the Control group) and treatment group receiving much higher level of DON-contaminated wheat (3.30–3.80 ppm; referred to as DON-contaminated group). Feeding a DON-contaminated diet had no impact on average daily feed intake (ADFI) (p < 0.08) or average daily gain (ADG) (p > 0.10) but it did significantly reduce body weight over time relative to the control piglets (p < 0.05). Cytokine analysis after initial exposure to the DON-contaminated feed did not result in significant differences in serum interleukin (IL) IL1β, IL-8, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or interferon (IFN)-γ. After day 24, no obvious changes in jejunum or ileum gut morphology, histology or changes in gene expression for IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, or Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 genes. IL-8 showed a trend towards increased expression in the ileum in DON-fed piglets. A significant increase in gene expression for claudin (CLDN) 7 gene expression and a trend towards increased CLDN 2-expression was observed in the ileum in piglets fed the highly DON-contaminated wheat. Because CLDN localization was not negatively affected, we believe that it is unlikely that gut permeability was affected. Exposure to DON-contaminated feed did not significantly impact weaner piglet performance or gut physiology.
Highlights
Deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin, is a potent mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum, and its presence in wheat, corn, and barley crops can lead to them being downgraded to livestock feed grade
Several studies show that piglets fed DON had altered cytokine production either in the duodenum, jejunum, or the ileum or the mesenteric lymph nodes [9,11,12] indicating that DON-contaminated feed can alter the innate immune response in a piglet’s gut
There was a trend (p < 0.08) for average daily feed intake to be reduced in pigs fed the DON diet in the final days of the study
Summary
Deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin, is a potent mycotoxin produced by the fungus Fusarium graminearum, and its presence in wheat, corn, and barley crops can lead to them being downgraded to livestock feed grade. Longer-term exposure to moderate contamination of feed at levels between 5 and 8 mg/kg will be tolerated but has been shown to considerably decrease daily feed intake and growth rate [4,5]. Agency, United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Union recommend limiting dietary inclusion in swine feed to under 1 mg/kg [6], 1 mg/kg [7], and 0.9 mg/kg [8] respectively. Even at these recommended inclusion levels DON has been shown to significantly decrease average daily gain (ADG) and alter intestinal morphology [9]. With increased quantities of DON-contaminated grain entering the livestock sector, complete avoidance of DON may not be possible
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