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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #120713
Title: TOXICITY OF MONILIFORMIN FROM FUSARIUM FUJIKUROI CULTURE MATERIAL TO GROWING SWINE

Author
item Harvey, Roger
item Edrington, Thomas
item Kubena, Leon
item ROTTINGHAUS, GEORGE - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item TURK, JAMES - UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
item Genovese, Kenneth - Ken
item Nisbet, David

Submitted to: Journal of Food Protection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2001
Publication Date: 11/1/2001
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Mycotoxins are poisons produced by fungi. Moniliformin (M) is a mycotoxin that has been determined to be toxic to poultry. Because this toxin can be found on corn growing in the United States, swine could be exposed to it. The purpose of the present study was to determine the toxicity of M to growing pigs. Heart disease and acute death were produced in pigs at dosages similar to those that produce toxicity in poultry. This is important because exposure to M-contaminated feed could produce severe economic losses to the swine industry.

Technical Abstract: In two studies, the effects of moniliformin (M)-contaminated diets from Fusarium fujikuroi culture material on growing barrows were evaluated. In the first study, six barrows (3 replicates of 2 each, mean body weight, 17.8 kg) per group (4 groups; 24 barrows total) were fed diets calculated to contain: 0 mg M/kg feed (control); 25 mg M/kg feed; 50 mg M/kg feed; or 100 mg M/kg feed for 28 days. In the second study, the same experimental design and numbers of barrows (mean body weight, 15.3 kg) were used and diets were formulated to contain: 0 mg M/kg feed (control); 50 mg M/kg feed; 100 mg M/kg feed; or 200 mg M/kg feed. Diets of 100 mg or 200 mg M/kg feed reduced body weight, body weight gain, and feed consumption. Serum biochemical analytes were affected by 100 to 200 mg M/kg feed. Hematologic values were affected by 50, 100, and 200 mg M/kg feed. In the first study, 1 barrow in the 100 mg M-treated group died, and in the second study, 1 barrow died in the 100 mg M-treated group and 5 barrows died in the 200 mg M-treated group. Relative heart weight was increased in the 200 mg M-treated barrows, yet tissues from organs collected from treatment groups were generally histologically unimpressive. The most consistent sign of M toxicity in barrows appeared to be death induced within 2-5 days by 100 to 200 mg M/kg feed.