Efficacy of yeast cell wall based feed additive in prevention of mycotoxicoses in pigs fed a diet with aflatoxin under the EU regulatory levels

Abstract Text: This study was to investigate the effect of corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxin at the EU’s regulatory level on the growth performance of nursery pigs, and the efficiency of a yeast cell wall based feed additive (Mycosorb A+, Alltech, Lexington, KY) in prevention of mycotoxicoses. Pigs (60 barrows and 60 gilts at 6.02 ± 0.83 kg BW) were randomly allotted to 4 treatments (2 x 2 factorial) with 10 pens (5 barrow and 5 gilt pens) per treatment and 3 pigs per pen, and fed experimental diets for 5 wk. Diets included NC (a control diet without aflatoxin and Mycosorb A+); NCA (NC + 2 g/kg of Mycosorb A+); PC (NC + 20 µg/kg of aflatoxin); PCA (PC + 2 g/kg of Mycosorb A+). Feed intake and body weight were measured weekly, and one pig representing an average body weight of each pen was bled to measure the numbers of blood cells, immunological variables including IgG and TNF-α, oxidative damage status, and serological evaluation related to liver health. Mycosorb A+ increased (P < 0.05) ADG (493 to 524 g/d), and ADFI (796 to 846 g/d) of pigs whereas G/F was not affected. Aflatoxin decreased (P < 0.05) the number of platelet count (193.5 to 247.4 x 10³/µL). Interactions (P < 0.05) between treatment factors on hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count indicate that Mycosorb A+ further increased their levels when feed were contaminated with aflatoxin. Aflatoxin tended to increase the level of albumin (P = 0.055, 3.46 to 3.63 g/dL), albumin:globulin ratio (P = 0.050, 2.09 to 2.37), and Ca (P = 0.080, 10.79 to 10.97 mg/dL). Mycosorb A+ tended to increase (P = 0.055) albumin level (3.46 to 3.63 g/dL). Interactions (P< 0.05) between treatment factors on blood urea N and blood urea N:creatinine indicate that Mycosorb A+ further decreased their levels when feed were contaminated with aflatoxin. Collectively, diets with Mycosorb A+ (2 g/kg) can improve pigs’ growth performance by increasing ADG and ADFI, whereas low level aflatoxin (20 µg/kg) had minor effects on hematology without affecting growth performance.

Keywords: aflatoxin, pigs, yeast cell wall