Toxic effects of fumonisins in piglets and counteracting strategy

Fumonisins (FUM) are a group of mycotoxins mainly produced by Fusarium fungi. They represent a serious threat to swine production as this livestock species is the most sensitive to FUM. They have multiple effects in swine; best described is the impact on pulmonary edema diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the negative impact of 50 ppm fumonisins on piglet health and to evaluate a mycotoxin counteracting additive (containing fumonisin esterase).

The study was carried out at the Instituto SAMITEC, Brazil. Feed was artificially contaminated with FUM to reach a concentration of 50 ppm. Thirty male piglets were randomly assigned to five groups, six piglets each. Groups were as following: 1) no FUM and no additive, 2) 0.5% additive, 3) FUM, 4) FUM and 0.25% additive, and 5) FUM and 0.5% additive. The trial lasted 42 days, performance data and serum parameters (sphinganine to sphingosine (Sa/So) ratio, total plasma protein) were evaluated on a weekly basis. All data obtained in the experiment were subjected to analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA).

Feed intake was not affected by FUM contamination. Body weight, daily weight gain and FCR were significantly decreased by FUM addition compared to control group. Inclusion of 0.25 and 0.5% additive significantly improved body weight (8.58% and +8.58%, respectively), daily weight gain (+14.06% and +12.50%, respectively) and FCR (-7.81%).

Relative weight of livers and lungs of piglets fed 50 ppm FUM was significantly higher compared to control, +25.89% and 45.65%, respectively. The additive significantly lowered the organ weights of liver and lung compared to FUM group. The total serum plasma protein was not affected. The Sa/So ratio of animals fed 50 ppm FUM was significantly higher (+326.95%) compared to control treatment. The inclusion of 0.25 or 0.5% of additive significantly lowered (-40.86% and -40.70%, respectively) the Sa/So ratio compared with the pigs fed 50 ppm FUM.

A diet containing 50 ppm FUM over a period of 42 days showed deleterious effects in the performance, organ weights and the Sa/So ratio of the piglets. According to the results, the inclusion of 0.25% or 0.50% of a counteracting additive significantly decreased the deleterious effects of 50 ppm of FUM on the evaluated parameters (P≤0.05).

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.