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  Discussion on Effects of feeding fungal toxins (Fusarium mycotoxin)
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DrO

Posted on Thursday, Aug 4, 2005 - 12:19 pm:

We often get discussions that center on a horse that seems to be loosing its appetite and condition but there seems to be no related cause. A difficult to diagnose condition might be mycotoxicosis from infected grains, especially corn though other grains can be effected. Most fungi produce toxins known as mycotoxins. The feed may not have obvious signs of contamination and even testing might be problematic if the toxin is not spread evenly through the grain. One thing is for sure these fungi are in every naturally harvested grain, it is a matter of the amount of toxin produced and then consumed that determines whether it will cause problems. In the past we have also discussed the use of MTB-100 by Alltech Inc that may reduce the effects of toxins present in the feed. In this study there was not a benefit seen.
DrO

J Anim Sci. 2005 Jun;83(6):1267-73.
Effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on feed intake, metabolism, and indices of athletic performance of exercised horses.

Raymond SL, Smith TK, Swamy HV.

Equine Guelph, and University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins to mature, exercised horses, and to test the efficacy of a polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GM polymer) in preventing Fusarium mycotoxicoses. Six mature, mixed-breed mares with an average BW of 530 kg were assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 21 d in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Feed consumed each day was a combination of up to 3.5 kg of concentrates and 5.0 kg of mixed timothy/alfalfa hay (as-fed basis). The concentrates fed included 1) manage; 2) blend of contaminated grains; and 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer (MTB-100, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY). Concentrates containing contaminated grains averaged 11.0 ppm deoxynivalenol, 0.7 ppm 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and 0.8 ppm zearalenone (as-fed basis). Feed intake and BW were monitored over a 21-d period. Horses were maintained on a fixed exercise schedule throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, each horse completed a time-to-fatigue treadmill step test. Variables measured during pretest, each step of the test, and 5 and 10 min posttest were as follows: 1) time-to-fatigue, 2) heart rate, 3) hematological variables, and 4) serum lactate concentration. Each step consisted of 2 min of fast trot with a 2% increase in incline after each 2 min. Feed intake by horses fed contaminated grains was decreased compared with controls throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 0.2% GM polymer to the contaminated diet did not alter feed intake by horses compared with those fed the unsupplemented contaminated diet. All hay was consumed regardless of concentrate fed. Weight loss from 0 to 21 d was observed in horses fed contaminated grains compared with controls (P < 0.05). No effect of diet was seen on variables used to measure athletic ability, although the results showed an expected response to exercise for a fit horse. We conclude that exercised horses are susceptible to Fusarium mycotoxicoses as indicated by appetite suppression and weight loss.
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