Transfer of Mycotoxins from Lactation Feed to Colostrum of Sows.

Paolo Bosi,Elena De Leo,Elisa Spinelli,Diana Luise,Giuseppe Diegoli,Federico Correa,Giovanna Trambajolo,Paolo Trevisi

doi:10.3390/ani10122253

Abstract

Simple SummaryMycotoxin risk levels are known to vary depending on the type of mycotoxins, animal species, age and type of production. In lactating animals, mycotoxins can be transferred from feed consumed to colostrum and milk. This has been well documented for aflatoxicosis in cattle, but not in sows and not for the most diffused mycotoxins. Samples of in-house produced complete feed for lactating sows were obtained from Italian farms. Samples of colostrum were obtained at farrowing from each farm. The feed content of the mycotoxins was generally low. Of the 19 samples analyzed, 10, 12, 17 and 2 were positive for aflatoxins, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone, respectively; however, only two were above the risk limit. The colostrum samples were all negative for aflatoxins while a faint analytical signal was detected for fumonisins in five samples, notwithstanding very low values in the feed. Deoxynivalenol was frequently present in the colostrum; the highest value was seen in the farm presenting the highest value in the feed. However, this colostrum value was far from the presumed risk value for suckling piglets. More controls regarding feed on the farm are suggested while more studies are advisable regarding the risk of DON toxicosis in suckling pigs.Studies regarding the transfer of mycotoxins from sow feed to colostrum are scarce. A sample of in-house produced lactation feed and one of colostrum were collected from two or three sows per farm (total 49) from 19 farms. The feed contents of aflatoxins (AFs), fumonisins (FUs), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) were assessed using ELISA and confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), The values were very low (10, 12, 17 and 2 positive samples for AFs, FUs, DON and ZEA, respectively), except for two samples (one AF, one DON). Based on feed values, colostrum samples from 13 farms were tested for at least one mycotoxin (Total 35). Aflatoxins were not found in any sample. A signal for FUs was observed in 5 of 11 colostra, despite low feed values; DON was frequently present in the colostrum (10/14). On the farm where the feed exceeded the DON suggested limits, a higher colostrum content was seen, 10.9 µg/kg, approximately 1/69 of the value showing toxicity in young pigs. The absence of reference values for neonate pigs, and the risk of higher and longer ingestion of DON by sows suggested considering routine checks of sow feed; more research on DON transfer and toxicity in piglets is needed.

Highlights

Mycotoxins are produced by the secondary metabolism of some fungal species as a result of the environmental stress to which the plant has been subjected, or they develop during the drying process and conservation of plant products
Regarding the total number of feed mixtures for the sows, the frequencies of the samples with mycotoxin values above the quantification threshold (0.0010 mg/kg; 0.125 mg/kg; 0.15 mg/kg; 0.025 mg/kg for AFs, DON, FUs and ZEA, respectively) and above the maximum level allowed in the European Union (EU) for AF [10] or the maximum guidance values recommended by the EU for the other three mycotoxins [11] were calculated
The presence of two farms, each having one mycotoxin value over the limit pointed out the need for controls on in-farm produced sow feeds

Summary

Introduction

Mycotoxins are produced by the secondary metabolism of some fungal species as a result of the environmental stress to which the plant has been subjected, or they develop during the drying process and conservation of plant products. Mycotoxicosis after the dietary ingestion of AFs, trichothecenes, FUs and ZEA is diffuse and may exert a negative effect on several organs, including the digestive tract [4], the immune [5], reproductive [6] and respiratory systems [7], the kidney [8] and the liver [9] For these reasons, the European Commission has fixed maximum limit values for the content of AF B1 in complete feedstuffs ranging from 5 to 20 μg/kg depending on the target species, inside the general Directive concerning undesirable substances in feeds [10]. The European Commission set maximum guidance values of 0.9 to 5 mg/kg for DON, of 5 to 50 mg/kg FU B1 + B2 and of 100 to 500 μg/kg for ZEA in complete or complementary feeding stuffs [11]

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