MYCOTOXINS – a constant threat
Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain types of molds found in grain and feedstuffs. Mycotoxins can have a significant impact on the health and reproductive performance of sows. The presence of mycotoxins in feed can lead to a range of adverse effects, including reduced feed intake, impaired growth, liver damage, gastrointestinal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and various reproductive issues.
Specifically, mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), fumonisins, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone have been identified as harmful to swine health. These are well known and regulated mycotoxins. The impact of mycotoxins on sow fertility and reproductive performance is well-documented, with several studies highlighting the various negative outcomes associated with mycotoxin exposure.
Diagnosis can be challenging due to vague symptoms and the presence of mycotoxins below detection limits. To make things worse, the so-called emerging mycotoxins are even less often analyzed, as they require sophisticated analytical devices for detection, and regulatory limits are missing. Some of the emerging mycotoxins are, however, known to negatively affect swine.
Mycotoxins can cause direct effects on reproductive performance, such as irregular heats, abortion, pseudopregnancy, low conception rates, ovarian cysts, embryonic loss, nymphomania, hypertrophy of the uterus, hyperestrogenism, agalactia, stillbirths, and infertility.
Mycotoxins and reproduction
One of the most studied mycotoxins in relation to swine reproduction is zearalenone (ZEN), produced by Fusarium species and commonly found in cereals such as maize, wheat, oats, and barley. ZEN is known to mimic estrogenic activity and can lead to a range of reproductive disorders. For example, ZEN exposure has been associated with vulva swelling, disturbances in reproductive hormones, and alterations in estrogen receptor concentrations in specific organs of sows. These changes can result in significant reproductive issues such as reduced litter size, increased embryo mortality, and disrupted estrous cycles.
In sows, exposure to ZEN can lead to symptoms such as swelling of the vulva, abnormal estrous cycles, ovarian atrophy, and reduced fertility. For instance, young, immature gilts exposed to 1–5 ppm of ZEN may show swelling of the vulva and some estrus activity, while pubertal gilts and sows during the breeding period exposed to 5–10 ppm may experience increased postweaning intervals and extended intervals between cycles. Gestating sows exposed to 25+ ppm of ZEN can have small litters, low farrowing rates, and pseudopregnancy, and lactating sows exposed to 50+ ppm may exhibit abnormal estrous cycles and ovarian atrophy.
The economic implications of ZEN contamination are significant for swine production operations. Reproductive performance is fundamental to the economic success of these operations, and problems such as those caused by ZEN can lead to reduced numbers of piglets, which in turn leads to financial losses. The exact profit calculation related to the impact of ZEN on sows can vary widely depending on the extent of the contamination, the prices of pork, and the specific management practices of the farm. However, it is clear that both determining the cause of a decline in reproductive performance and implementing corrective measures can incur high costs.
Scientific publications have provided guidance levels to mitigate the risks of ZEN. For example, the European Commission has defined recommended thresholds for complementary and complete feeding stuffs, reflecting the differences in susceptibility among age groups. These guidance levels are set at 100 ppb for gilts and piglets and 250 ppb for sows and fatteners.
Another group of mycotoxins, the trichothecenes, which include DON and T-2 toxin, are also of concern. These compounds can cause direct toxic effects on the reproductive tract, leading to conditions such as ovarian dysfunction, reduced conception rates, and increased incidence of stillbirths. The presence of these mycotoxins in feed has been linked to irregular heats, pseudopregnancy, and reduced fertility in sows. One common side effect of high DON contamination is lowered feed intake, and in extreme cases, feed refusal. This may have grave consequences for sow and piglet health.
Fumonisins, another class of mycotoxins, have been implicated in causing alterations in sphingolipid metabolism, which is crucial for cell membrane integrity and function. This disruption can have implications for oocyte quality and embryonic development, potentially leading to reduced fertility and increased prenatal loss in pigs.
It is important to note that the effects of mycotoxins are not isolated to direct toxicity alone. Mycotoxins can also compromise the immune system, leading to increased susceptibility to infections and diseases, which can further exacerbate reproductive issues in sows.
Prevention is the only solution
After molds produce mycotoxins on the crops in the field or storage, mycotoxins cannot be removed anymore from the animal feed. This means that the only solution for preventing mycotoxicosis is using feed additives to adsorb or detoxify mycotoxins.
MYCORAID is an advanced solution for alleviating negative effects of mycotoxins in all animal species. Special combination of minerals adsorbs polar and less polar mycotoxins, such as ZEN and fumonisins. Additionally, microbial biotransformation of ZEN to non-toxic metabolites occurs. MYCORAID also supports the immune system with the help of yeast cell wall components like beta glucans and mannan oligosaccharides. They work together to enhance the immune response and thus, reduce negative effects of DON contamination. Finally, plant extracts help to alleviate the negative effects of mycotoxins on the liver. All these components help MYCORAID support your animal for better performance and profitability during ever increasing mycotoxin challenges.
Conclusions
Mycotoxins pose a significant threat to sow fertility and health, and understanding their effects is essential for effective swine herd management and ensuring the profitability and sustainability of swine production operations. Given the significant impact of mycotoxins on sow fertility and health, it is essential for swine producers to implement effective mycotoxin management strategies. These may include ensuring proper storage and handling of feed ingredients to minimize fungal growth and mycotoxin production, regular monitoring of feed for mycotoxin contamination, and the use of advanced mycotoxin deactivating feed additives. MYCORAID helps to ensure high production levels and profitability on the farm.