Effects of mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) on growth performance of pigs

Deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) are among the most common Fusarium spp. contaminants of cereals and feeds. Mycotoxins are confirmed as a health hazard in both animals and men. To evaluate the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) on growth performance of pigs, experiments with 3 groups of animals have been conducted: Group I - control (CON) was fed a standard ration for the age category, group II (МТ) received feed containing 1 mg/kg feed DON and 0.4 mg/kg feed ZEN and group III (MT-MF) – feed containing 1 mg/kg feed DON, 0.4 mg/kg feed ZEN and the toxin binder Mycofix plus 3.0. After 37-day exposure to DON and ZEN, MT-fed pigs had lower (P<0.05) body weight, average daily feed intake (ADFI), and increased feed conversion rate (FCR) than control pigs. The pigs from group III (receiving MT-MF), demonstrated higher (P<0.05) average daily weight gain and showed a tendency (P>0.05) toward higher ADFI than the MT group. Mycotoxin-containing rations reduced considerably growth performance and had an adverse impact on pig health. The addition of the toxin binder Mycofix plus 3.0 to the diet reduced some of adverse effects of mycotoxins on growth performance of pigs.