Abstract
This study was aimed to analyze the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the health of post weaning piglets challenged with diets contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins. Fifty-six male piglets (7.15 ± 0.61 kg) were allocated in four groups: CTL group received a regular diet; SDPP group received a regular diet and 6% SDPP; MYC group received a diet containing 300 µg/kg aflatoxins and 8,000 µg/kg fumonisins; group MYC+SDPP received 300 µg/kg aflatoxins, 8,000 µg/kg fumonisins and 6% SDPP. The animals that received the experimental diet containing mycotoxins (MYC group) had lower weight gain at the end of the experiment compared to the other treatments. Animals receiving SDPP showed decreased urea levels throughout the experiment (P<0.05). Animals from MYC group presented an increased on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and decreased catalase activity (P<0.05). In contrast, SDPP prevented the increase of ROS and TBARS and stimulated superoxide dismutase activity (P<0.05). In conclusion, diet contaminated with mycotoxins (group MYC) caused subclinical intoxication in the piglets, as observed by the increase on free radical's production and lipid peroxidation. Conversely, SDPP presented a protective effect, minimizing the effects of oxidative stress caused by aflatoxins and fumonisins ingestion.
Highlights
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by filamentous fungi that challenge pigs in the most diverse production cycle stages (Freitas et al 2012)
A recent study conducted by Muller et al (2017) demonstrated that 6% of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in the diet prevents the reduction on leukocyte levels, the negative effects associated with performance and minimize the inflammatory response of piglets intoxicated with aflatoxins and mycotoxins, considering this treatment an interesting approach to modulate the inflammatory process and improve the immune system
The MYC diet did not affect liver functions related to protein synthesis and lipid metabolism, as the biochemical parameters indicative of these activities such as total proteins, albumin, cholesterol and triglycerides were not altered (P>0.05)
Summary
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by filamentous fungi that challenge pigs in the most diverse production cycle stages (Freitas et al 2012). The benefits of SDPP in piglet weaning are considered as one of the most important discoveries in pig nutrition in the last 100 years (Crowmell 2009). In this sense, a recent study conducted by Muller et al (2017) demonstrated that 6% of SDPP in the diet prevents the reduction on leukocyte levels, the negative effects associated with performance and minimize the inflammatory response of piglets intoxicated with aflatoxins and mycotoxins, considering this treatment an interesting approach to modulate the inflammatory process and improve the immune system
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