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Penagos-Tabares F, Khiaosa-Ard R, Faas J, Steininger F, Papst F, Egger-Danner C, Zebeli Q. A 2-year study reveals implications of feeding management and exposure to mycotoxins on udder health, performance, and fertility in dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:1124-1142. [PMID: 37709039 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
We recently reported the ubiquitous occurrence of mycotoxins and their secondary metabolites in dairy rations and a substantial variation in the feeding management among Austrian dairy farms. The present study aimed to characterize to which extent these factors contribute to the fertility, udder health traits, and performance of dairy herds. During 2019 and 2020, we surveyed 100 dairy farms, visiting each farm 2 times and collecting data and feed samples. Data collection involved information on the main feed ingredients, nutrient composition, and the levels of mycotoxin and other metabolites in the diet. The annual fertility and milk data of the herds were obtained from the national reporting agency. Calving interval was the target criterion for fertility performance, whereas the percentage of primiparous and multiparous cows in the herd with somatic cell counts above 200,000 cells/mL was the criterion for impaired udder health. For each criterion, herds were classified into 3 groups: high/long, mid, and low/short, with the cut-off corresponding to the <25th and >75th percentiles and the rest of the data, respectively. Accordingly, for the calving interval, the cut-offs for the long and short groups were ≥400 and ≤380 d, for the udder health in primiparous cows were ≥20% and ≤8% of the herd, and for the udder health in multiparous cows were ≥35% and ≤20% of the herd, respectively. Quantitative approaches were further performed to define potential risk factors in the herds. The high somatic cell count group had higher dietary exposure to enniatins (2.8 vs. 1.62 mg/cow per d), deoxynivalenol (4.91 vs. 2.3 mg/cow per d), culmorin (9.48 vs. 5.72 mg/cow per d), beauvericin (0.32 vs. 0.18 mg/cow per d), and siccanol (13.3 vs. 5.15 mg/cow per d), and total Fusarium metabolites (42.8 vs. 23.2 mg/cow per d) and used more corn silage in the ration (26.9% vs. 17.3% diet DM) compared with the low counterparts. Beauvericin was the most substantial contributing variable among the Fusarium metabolites, as indicated by logistic regression and modeling analyses. Logistic analysis indicated that herds with high proportions of cows with milk fat-to-protein ratio >1.5 had an increased odds for a longer calving interval, which was found to be significant for primiparous cows (odds ratio = 5.5, 95% confidence interval = 1.65-21.7). As well, herds with high proportions of multiparous cows showing levels of milk urea nitrogen >30 mg/dL had an increased odds for longer calving intervals (odds ratio = 2.96, 95% confidence interval = 1.22-7.87). In conclusion, the present findings suggest that dietary contamination of Fusarium mycotoxins (especially emerging ones), likely due to increased use of corn silage in the diet, seems to be a risk factor for impairing the udder health of primiparous cows. Mismatching dietary energy and protein supply of multiparous cows contributed to reduced herd fertility performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Penagos-Tabares
- Unit Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Biophysics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT), Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; FFoQSI GmbH-Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - R Khiaosa-Ard
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - J Faas
- DSM-BIOMIN Research Center, Tulln a.d., 3430 Donau, Austria
| | - F Steininger
- ZuchtData EDV-Dienstleistungen GmbH, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - F Papst
- Institute of Technical Informatics, TU Graz/CSH Vienna, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - C Egger-Danner
- ZuchtData EDV-Dienstleistungen GmbH, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - Q Zebeli
- Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT), Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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Chen L, Li F, Ma Z, Wang A, Kang Y, Liu B, Xu H, Li J, Wang X, Li K. Improving feed intake and rumen fermentation in lambs using mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay to adsorb naturally occurring mycotoxins. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae080. [PMID: 38513071 PMCID: PMC11015868 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including a mixed-dimensional attapulgite clay (MDA) into a naturally moldly diet for Hu lambs. Fifty male Hu lambs with similar initial body weight (28.24 ± 1.80 kg) were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments: a basal diet containing naturally occurring mycotoxins with 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kg/t MDA, and basal diet with a commercial mycotoxin adsorbent Solis with montmorillonite as the major component at 1 kg/t. Both MDA and Solis increased average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI; P ≤ 0.004), and there was no difference in growth performance between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.26). The final body weight, DMI, and ADG were linearly increased with increasing MDA supplementation (P < 0.01). Lambs treated with both MDA and Solis demonstrated greater apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), and energy compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.03), and there were no differences in nutrient digestibilities between MDA and Solis (P ≥ 0.38). Digestibility of CP was linearly increased with the increasing MDA supplementation (P = 0.01). Neither MDA nor Solis affected rumen total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration (P ≥ 0.39), but decreased the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P ≤ 0.01), and MDA also increased the concentration of ammonia (P = 0.003). Besides, increasing MDA supplementation linearly reduced the acetate-to-propionate ratio and molar proportion of n-butyrate (P = 0.01), but linearly and quadratically increased the concentration of ammonia (P ≥ 0.003). These results showed that the incorporation of MDA into a naturally moldy diet of Hu lambs yielded comparable results to the Solis product, with higher growth performance and nutrient digestibility but lower acetate-to-propionate ratio observed. In conclusion, including ≥ 1 kg/t of MDA in high mycotoxin risk diets for growing lambs improves feed intake and rumen fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Fei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Zhiyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems; Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Engineering Research Center of Grassland Industry, Ministry of Education; College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Aiqin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Clay Mineral Applied Research of Gansu Province, Center of Eco-material and Green Chemistry, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Yuru Kang
- Key Laboratory of Clay Mineral Applied Research of Gansu Province, Center of Eco-material and Green Chemistry, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Baocang Liu
- Xinjiang Tycoon Group Aksu Feed Corp, Aksu 842008, PR China
| | - Hui Xu
- Minqin County Defu Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Minqin 733300, PR China
| | - Jiandong Li
- Minqin County Defu Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., Minqin 733300, PR China
| | - Xinji Wang
- Extension Station of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine in Minqin County, Minqin 733300, PR China
| | - Kaidong Li
- Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Workstation, Minqin County 733399, PR China
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Catellani A, Ghilardelli F, Trevisi E, Cecchinato A, Bisutti V, Fumagalli F, Swamy HVLN, Han Y, van Kuijk S, Gallo A. Effects of Supplementation of a Mycotoxin Mitigation Feed Additive in Lactating Dairy Cows Fed Fusarium Mycotoxin-Contaminated Diet for an Extended Period. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:546. [PMID: 37755972 PMCID: PMC10534924 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fusarium mycotoxins are inactivated by rumen flora; however, a certain amount can pass the rumen and reticulum or be converted into biological active metabolites. Limited scientific evidence is available on the impact and mitigation of Fusarium mycotoxins on dairy cows' performance and health, particularly when cows are exposed for an extended period (more than 2 months). The available information related to these mycotoxin effects on milk cheese-making parameters is also very poor. The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercially available mycotoxin mitigation product (MMP, i.e., TOXO® HP-R, Selko, Tilburg, The Netherlands) in lactating dairy cows fed a Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet, and the repercussions on the dry matter intake, milk yield, milk quality, cheese-making traits and health status of cows. The MMP contains smectite clays, yeast cell walls and antioxidants. In the study, 36 lactating Holstein cows were grouped based on the number of days of producing milk, milk yield, body condition score and those randomly assigned to specific treatments. The study ran over 2 periods (March/May-May/July 2022). In each period, six animals/treatment were considered. The experimental periods consisted of 9 days of adaptation and 54 days of exposure. The physical activity, rumination time, daily milk production and milk quality were measured. The cows were fed once daily with the same total mixed ration (TMR) composition. The experimental groups consisted of a control (CTR) diet, with a TMR with low contamination, high moisture corn (HMC), and beet pulp; a mycotoxins (MTX) diet, with a TMR with highly contaminated HMC, and beet pulp; and an MTX diet supplemented with 100 g/cow/day of the mycotoxin mitigation product (MMP). The trial has shown that the use of MMP reduced the mycotoxin's negative effects on the milk yield and quality (protein, casein and lactose). The MTX diet had a lower milk yield and feed efficiency than the CTR and MMP HP-R diets. The MMP limited the negative effect of mycotoxin contamination on clotting parameters, mitigating the variations on some coagulation properties; however, the MMP inclusion tended to decrease the protein and apparent starch digestibility of the diet. These results provide a better understanding of mycotoxin risk on dairy cows' performances and milk quality. The inclusion of an MMP product mitigated some negative effects of the Fusarium mycotoxin contamination during this trial. The major effects were on the milk yield and quality in both the experimental periods. These results provide better insight on the effects of mycotoxins on the performance and quality of milk, as well as the cheese-making traits. Further analyses should be carried out to evaluate MMP's outcome on immune-metabolic responses and diet digestibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Catellani
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy; (A.C.); (F.G.); (E.T.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesca Ghilardelli
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy; (A.C.); (F.G.); (E.T.); (F.F.)
| | - Erminio Trevisi
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy; (A.C.); (F.G.); (E.T.); (F.F.)
| | - Alessio Cecchinato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Vittoria Bisutti
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (A.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Francesca Fumagalli
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy; (A.C.); (F.G.); (E.T.); (F.F.)
| | - H. V. L. N. Swamy
- Selko Feed Additives, Nutreco, Stationsstraat 77, P.O. Box 299, 3800 AG Amersfoort, The Netherlands; (H.V.L.N.S.); (Y.H.); (S.v.K.)
| | - Yanming Han
- Selko Feed Additives, Nutreco, Stationsstraat 77, P.O. Box 299, 3800 AG Amersfoort, The Netherlands; (H.V.L.N.S.); (Y.H.); (S.v.K.)
| | - Sandra van Kuijk
- Selko Feed Additives, Nutreco, Stationsstraat 77, P.O. Box 299, 3800 AG Amersfoort, The Netherlands; (H.V.L.N.S.); (Y.H.); (S.v.K.)
| | - Antonio Gallo
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense, 84, 29100 Piacenza, Italy; (A.C.); (F.G.); (E.T.); (F.F.)
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Penagos-Tabares F, Sulyok M, Artavia JI, Flores-Quiroz SI, Garzón-Pérez C, Castillo-Lopez E, Zavala L, Orozco JD, Faas J, Krska R, Zebeli Q. Mixtures of Mycotoxins, Phytoestrogens, and Other Secondary Metabolites in Whole-Plant Corn Silages and Total Mixed Rations of Dairy Farms in Central and Northern Mexico. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:153. [PMID: 36828467 PMCID: PMC9965745 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins and endocrine disruptors such as phytoestrogens can affect cattle health, reproduction, and productivity. Most studies of mycotoxins in dairy feeds in Mexico and worldwide have been focused on a few (regulated) mycotoxins. In contrast, less known fungal toxins, phytoestrogens, and other metabolites have been neglected and underestimated. This study analyzed a broad spectrum (>800) of mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and fungal, plant, and unspecific secondary metabolites in whole-plant corn silages (WPCSs) and total mixed rations (TMRs) collected from 19 Mexican dairy farms. A validated multi-metabolite liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was used. Our results revealed 125 of >800 tested (potentially toxic) secondary metabolites. WPCSs/TMRs in Mexico presented ubiquitous contamination with mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and other metabolites. The average number of mycotoxins per TMR was 24, ranging from 9 to 31. Fusarium-derived secondary metabolites showed the highest frequencies, concentrations, and diversity among the detected fungal compounds. The most frequently detected mycotoxins in TMRs were zearalenone (ZEN) (100%), fumonisin B1 (FB1) (84%), and deoxynivalenol (84%). Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), previously reported in Mexico, were not detected. All TMR samples tested positive for phytoestrogens. Among the investigated dietary ingredients, corn stover, sorghum silage, and concentrate proportions were the most correlated with levels of total mycotoxins, fumonisins (Fs), and ergot alkaloids, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Penagos-Tabares
- Unit of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Biophysics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT), Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- FFoQSI GmbH—Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Technopark 1C, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Michael Sulyok
- Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | | | - Samanta-Irais Flores-Quiroz
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Cuautitlán, Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - César Garzón-Pérez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Cuautitlán, Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán Izcalli 54714, Mexico
| | - Ezequías Castillo-Lopez
- Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT), Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Luis Zavala
- DSM-BIOMIN Research Center, Technopark 1, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | | | - Johannes Faas
- DSM-BIOMIN Research Center, Technopark 1, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - Rudolf Krska
- Department of Agrobiotechnology, IFA-Tulln, Institute of Bioanalytics and Agro-Metabolomics, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Konrad-Lorenz-Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln, Austria
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Qendrim Zebeli
- Christian-Doppler-Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts in Livestock (CDL-LiveGUT), Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, Department of Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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Adverse Effects of Fusarium Toxins in Ruminants: A Review of In Vivo and In Vitro Studies. DAIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3030035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With an increased knowledge of the mechanism of action of Fusarium mycotoxins, the concept that these substances are deleterious only for monogastric species is obsolete. Indeed, most mycotoxins can be converted into less toxic compounds by the rumen microflora from healthy animals. However, mycotoxin absorption and its conversion to more toxic metabolites, as well as their impact on the immune response and subsequently animal welfare, reproductive function, and milk quality during chronic exposure should not be neglected. Among the Fusarium mycotoxins, the most studied are deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), and fumonisins from the B class (FBs). It is remarkable that there is a paucity of in vivo research, with a low number of studies on nutrient digestibility and rumen function. Most of the in vitro studies are related to the reproductive function or are restricted to rumen incubation. When evaluating the production performance, milk yield is used as an evaluated parameter, but its quality for cheese production is often overlooked. In the present review, we summarize the most recent findings regarding the adverse effects of these mycotoxins with special attention to dairy cattle.
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Xu R, Kiarie EG, Yiannikouris A, Sun L, Karrow NA. Nutritional impact of mycotoxins in food animal production and strategies for mitigation. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:69. [PMID: 35672806 PMCID: PMC9175326 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that are commonly detected as natural contaminants in agricultural commodities worldwide. Mycotoxin exposure can lead to mycotoxicosis in both animals and humans when found in animal feeds and food products, and at lower concentrations can affect animal performance by disrupting nutrient digestion, absorption, metabolism, and animal physiology. Thus, mycotoxin contamination of animal feeds represents a significant issue to the livestock industry and is a health threat to food animals. Since prevention of mycotoxin formation is difficult to undertake to avoid contamination, mitigation strategies are needed. This review explores how the mycotoxins aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, fumonisins and ochratoxin A impose nutritional and metabolic effects on food animals and summarizes mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of mycotoxicity.
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Gallo A, Minuti A, Bani P, Bertuzzi T, Cappelli FP, Doupovec B, Faas J, Schatzmayr D, Trevisi E. A mycotoxin-deactivating feed additive counteracts the adverse effects of regular levels of Fusarium mycotoxins in dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11314-11331. [PMID: 33222853 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about the effects of commonly found levels of Fusarium mycotoxins on the performance, metabolism, and immunity of dairy cattle. We investigated the effects of regular contamination levels, meaning contamination levels that can be commonly detected in dairy feeds, of deoxynivalenol (DON) and fumonisins (FB) in total mixed ration (TMR) on the performance, diet digestibility, milk quality, and plasma liver enzymes in dairy cows. This trial examined 12 lactating Holstein dairy cows using a 3-period × 3-treatment Latin square design. The experimental period was 21 d of mycotoxin exposure followed by 14 d of washout. During treatment periods, cows received one of 3 diets: (1) CTR (control) diet of TMR contaminated with 340.5 µg of DON/kg of dry matter (DM) and 127.9 µg FB/kg of DM; (2) MTX diet of TMR contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins at levels higher than CTR but below US and European Union guidelines (i.e., 733.0 µg of DON/kg of DM and 994.4 µg of FB/kg of DM); or (3) MDP diet, which was MTX diet supplemented with a mycotoxin deactivator product (i.e., 897.3 µg of DON/kg of DM and 1,247.1 µg of FB/kg of DM; Mycofix, 35 g/animal per day). During washout, all animals were fed the same CTR diet. Body weight, body condition score, DM intake, dietary nutrient digestibility, milk production, milk composition and rennet coagulation properties, somatic cell count, blood serum chemistry, hematology, serum immunoglobulin concentrations, and expression of multiple genes in circulating leucocytes were measured. Milk production was significantly greater in the CTR group (37.73 kg/d) than in the MTX (36.39 kg/d) and the MDP (36.55 kg/d) groups. Curd firmness and curd firming time were negatively affected by the MTX diet compared with the other 2 diets. Furthermore, DM and neutral detergent fiber digestibility were lower after the MTX diet than after the CTR diet (67.3 vs. 71.0% and 42.8 vs. 52.3%). The MDP diet had the highest digestibility coefficients for DM (72.4%) and neutral detergent fiber (53.6%) compared with the other 2 diets. The activities of plasma liver transaminases were higher after the MTX diet than after the CTR and MDP diets. Compared with the CTR diet, the MTX diet led to slightly lower expression of genes related to immune and inflammatory functions, indicating that Fusarium mycotoxins had an immunosuppressive effect. Our results indicated that feed contaminated with regular levels of Fusarium mycotoxins adversely affected the performance, milk quality, diet digestibility, metabolic variables, and immunity of dairy cows, and that supplementation with mycotoxin deactivator product counteracted most of these negative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gallo
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy.
| | - A Minuti
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - P Bani
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - T Bertuzzi
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - F Piccioli Cappelli
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
| | - B Doupovec
- BIOMIN Research Center, Technopark 1, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - J Faas
- BIOMIN Research Center, Technopark 1, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - D Schatzmayr
- BIOMIN Research Center, Technopark 1, 3430 Tulln, Austria
| | - E Trevisi
- Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition (DIANA), Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 29122 Piacenza, Italy
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