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Mycotoxin research2015; 31(4); 209-216; doi: 10.1007/s12550-015-0234-6

Effects of deoxynivalenol in naturally contaminated wheat on feed intake and health status of horses.

Abstract: The present study examined the short-term effects of deoxynivalenol (DON), administered at two different concentrations via a feed preparation using naturally contaminated wheat, on feed intake, liver and kidney metabolism and immunomodulatory properties in horses. Twelve geldings were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 21 days. DON was provided via naturally contaminated wheat (14.6 ± 6.5 mg DON/kg dry matter). The daily feed intake was adjusted to 4 kg of wheat and 1.7 kg of silage per 100 kg of body weight (BW). Horses were fed one of the following diets: control wheat with 0% contaminated wheat (CON), wheat mixture containing 53 ± 2% of DON-contaminated wheat [low DON intake (LDI)] or wheat mixture containing 78 ± 4% of DON-contaminated wheat [high DON intake (HDI)]. CON, LDI and HDI corresponded to a targeted daily DON intake via the complete ration of <5, 50 and 75 μg/kg BW, respectively. None of the horses demonstrated any clinical signs commonly associated with the intake of DON such as colic or depression. HDI was associated with lower daily wheat intake on day 21. Serum DON concentrations increased with higher DON intake. The non-toxic DON metabolite, deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) was only detected on day 21 of the DON feeding period. No changes in haematological and serum parameters or serum globulins or in the ex vivo proliferation response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were observed. These results suggest that horses are less sensitive to DON exposure than other domestic species, for example, swine. Therefore, the European Commission guidance value for critical DON concentrations in swine feed (complete diet) of 0.9 mg/kg could be safely applied for rations intended for feeding adult horses as well.
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Publication Date: 2015-09-30 PubMed ID: 26420605DOI: 10.1007/s12550-015-0234-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the short-term impact of a toxic substance, deoxynivalenol (DON) found in contaminated wheat, on a horse’s intake of feed, liver and kidney metabolism, and immune response. The results suggest that horses are less susceptible to DON exposure than other domestic animals, like pigs, and therefore the same safety measures in feed for pigs can be applied to adult horses.

Research Design

  • The experiment lasted for 21 days and involved twelve geldings (castrated male horses).
  • Horses were randomly assigned to one of three diets: The control diet with no contaminated wheat, Low DON Intake diet (53 ± 2% of the wheat being DON-contaminated), and High DON Intake diet (78 ± 4% DON-contaminated)
  • The daily feed intake was kept consistent for all horses, equal to 4 kg of wheat and 1.7 kg of silage per 100 kg of body weight.

Results

  • No horses displayed any typical clinical signs associated with DON consumption, like colic or depression.
  • Horses on the High DON Intake diet had a lower daily wheat intake on the last day of the experiment.
  • Serum (blood) DON concentrations rose with increased DON intake.
  • The non-toxic DON metabolite, deepoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1), was only detected on the last day of the DON feeding period.
  • No changes were observed in the number of the usual blood parameters, serum globulins, or the proliferation response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (immune cells).

Conclusions and Implications

  • The researchers concluded that horses appeared to be less sensitive to DON exposure compared to other domestic species like pigs suggesting that equine feed regulations can align with swine feed guidelines when it comes to DON concentrations.
  • The results of this study could have significant implications for the guidelines around feed manufacturing and quality controls for equine diets.
  • The findings also encourage further long-term studies and exploration into the health effects of varying levels of mycotoxin concentrations in horse diets.

Cite This Article

APA
Schulz AK, Kersten S, Dänicke S, Coenen M, Vervuert I. (2015). Effects of deoxynivalenol in naturally contaminated wheat on feed intake and health status of horses. Mycotoxin Res, 31(4), 209-216. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12550-015-0234-6

Publication

Mycotoxin research
ISSN: 1867-1632
NlmUniqueID: 8807334
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 31
Issue: 4
Pages: 209-216

Researcher Affiliations

Schulz, Anna-Katharina
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierklinken 9, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Kersten, Susanne
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany.
Dänicke, Sven
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Bundesallee 50, 38116, Braunschweig, Germany.
Coenen, Manfred
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierklinken 9, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierklinken 9, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. ingrid.vervuert@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Diet / methods
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Health Status
  • Horses / physiology
  • Trichothecenes / analysis
  • Trichothecenes / toxicity
  • Triticum / chemistry

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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