Experimental equine leukoencephalomalacia, toxic hepatosis, and encephalopathy caused by corn naturally contaminated with fumonisins.
Abstract: A study to evaluate the effects of dietary fumonisin B1 was conducted using 6 ponies (4 test and 2 control). A ration naturally contaminated with fumonisin B1 was fed in 3 phases: 1) 44 ppm fumonisin B1, 2) less than 1 ppm fumonisin B1, and 3) 88 ppm fumonisin B1. All ponies were monitored daily, weighed weekly, and limit fed at a rate of 0.8% body weight plus hay. Feed intake was measured daily, and a serum chemistry panel was completed once or twice weekly. Four to 7 days after initiation of the trial (Phase 1), all 4 test ponies had decreased feed consumption, and selected serum chemistry parameters were markedly elevated. On day 9, 1 pony died acutely with mild encephalopathy and hepatic necrosis. Another pony, euthanized on day 45, also had mild encephalopathy and hepatic necrosis. The remaining 2 test ponies continued the 44 ppm fumonisin B1 diet for 98 days. Phase 2 consisted of a diet with < 1 ppm fumonisin B1 for 120 days. During this phase, the serum chemistry values of the 2 ponies returned to normal. Following Phase 2, the 2 ponies were fed a diet containing 88 ppm fumonisin B1. After 75 days, 1 animal died of equine leukoencephalomalacia with mild hepatic necrosis. On day 78, the remaining pony was euthanized after showing distress; it also had leukoencephalomalacia and hepatic lesions.
Publication Date: 1993-01-01 PubMed ID: 8466984DOI: 10.1177/104063879300500115Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research investigates the impact of dietary fumonisin B1—naturally-contaminated corn—on six ponies, leading to conditions like leukoencephalomalacia, toxic hepatosis, and encephalopathy. The experiment, divided into three dietary phases, monitored effects on feed intake, weight, and serum chemistry, revealing the serious and often fatal effects of high concentrations of fumonisin B1.
Experimental Procedure
- The research involved six ponies, four of whom formed the test group and the remaining two assigned as controls.
- Three phases of diets, distinguished by the concentration of fumonisin B1, were fed to the ponies. Intakes were measured daily, and the ponies’ weights and serum chemistry checked regularly to monitor the toxin’s effects.
- Phase 1 introduced a diet with 44 ppm of fumonisin B1. After a few days, the test group displayed reduced feed consumption and pronounced elevation in some serum chemistry parameters. One pony died with symptoms of mild encephalopathy and hepatic necrosis while another, euthanized due to discomfort, presented similar symptoms.
Effects of Different Dietary Phases
- In Phase 2, the concentration of fumonisin was substantially reduced to less than 1ppm. This change led to the normalization of serum chemistry values within the remaining ponies.
- The third phase increased fumonisin levels to 88 ppm, higher than the first phase. One test pony succumbed to equine leukoencephalomalacia—a form of brain damage—and hepatic necrosis after 75 days, while the other was euthanized three days later after showing signs of distress.
Conclusions
- The study overall ascertains the dangers of high concentration of fumonisin B1, portrayed through its deleterious effects on the health of the test ponies.
- These findings should alert those in equestrian and veterinary sectors about the potential peril of contaminated corn feed for horses, with more extensive studies warranted to fully understand the long-term implications.
Cite This Article
APA
Ross PF, Ledet AE, Owens DL, Rice LG, Nelson HA, Osweiler GD, Wilson TM.
(1993).
Experimental equine leukoencephalomalacia, toxic hepatosis, and encephalopathy caused by corn naturally contaminated with fumonisins.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 5(1), 69-74.
https://doi.org/10.1177/104063879300500115 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA 50010.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Brain / pathology
- Brain Diseases / chemically induced
- Brain Diseases / pathology
- Carcinogens, Environmental / toxicity
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury
- Encephalomalacia / chemically induced
- Encephalomalacia / pathology
- Food Contamination
- Fumonisins
- Horses
- Liver / pathology
- Liver Diseases / pathology
- Mycotoxins / toxicity
- Necrosis
- Zea mays
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- N D, Achar PN, Sreenivasa MY. Current Perspectives of Biocontrol Agents for Management of Fusarium verticillioides and Its Fumonisin in Cereals-A Review.. J Fungi (Basel) 2021 Sep 18;7(9).
- Jennings JS, Ensley SM, Smith WN, Husz TC, Lawrence TE. Impact of increasing levels of fumonisin on performance, liver toxicity, and tissue histopathology of finishing beef steers.. J Anim Sci 2020 Dec 1;98(12).
- Reisinger N, Dohnal I, Nagl V, Schaumberger S, Schatzmayr G, Mayer E. Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) Induces Lamellar Separation and Alters Sphingolipid Metabolism of In Vitro Cultured Hoof Explants.. Toxins (Basel) 2016 Mar 24;8(4):89.
- Hartinger D, Heinl S, Schwartz HE, Grabherr R, Schatzmayr G, Haltrich D, Moll WD. Enhancement of solubility in Escherichia coli and purification of an aminotransferase from Sphingopyxis sp. MTA144 for deamination of hydrolyzed fumonisin B(1).. Microb Cell Fact 2010 Aug 18;9:62.
- Pepeljnjak S, Petrinec Z, Kovacic S, Segvic M. Screening toxicity study in young carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) on feed amended with fumonisin B1.. Mycopathologia 2003;156(2):139-45.
- Fotso J, Leslie JF, Smith JS. Production of beauvericin, moniliformin, fusaproliferin, and fumonisins b(1), b(2), and b(3) by fifteen ex-type strains of fusarium species.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002 Oct;68(10):5195-7.
- Jurgenson JE, Zeller KA, Leslie JF. Expanded genetic map of Gibberella moniliformis (Fusarium verticillioides).. Appl Environ Microbiol 2002 Apr;68(4):1972-9.
- Theumer MG, López AG, Masih DT, Chulze SN, Rubinstein HR. Immunobiological effects of fumonisin B1 in experimental subchronic mycotoxicoses in rats.. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 2002 Jan;9(1):149-55.
- Beier RC, Elissalde MH, Stanker LH. Calculated three dimensional structures of the fumonisin B1-4 mycotoxins.. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 1995 Apr;54(4):479-87.
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