Effects of Detoxifying Agents on Growth Performance of Nursery Pigs Fed Deoxynivalenol-Contaminated Wheat

Abstract Text:

A total of 238 barrows and gilts (PIC 327×1050; initially 13.4 ± 1.8 kg) were used in a 21-d study to evaluate the effects of detoxifying agents on the growth performance of nursery pigs fed diets contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON). Pens of pigs were allotted by BW to 1 of 5 treatments in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, with main effects of DON (4 mg/kg) and Product D (Nutriquest, Mason City, IA). A fifth treatment was included to confirm the effectiveness of 1.0% sodium metabisulfite (SMB; Na₂S₂O₅) in DON-contaminated diets. There were 6 or 7 replicate pens/treatment and 7 pigs/pen. Naturally DON-contaminated wheat (6 mg/kg) replaced non-contaminated wheat in diets to achieve desired dietary DON concentrations. Basal ingredients were tested for mycotoxin and amino acid content prior to diet manufacturing. Diets were pelleted at 85°C with a 45 s conditioning time. Analyzed DON levels were 92% lower when pelleted with SMB, but otherwise DON matched formulated levels, although low levels of fumonisin (<1 mg/kg) were also present. Overall (d 0 to 21), a DON × Product D interaction was observed for ADG (P<0.05) with a tendency for an interaction for ADFI (P<0.06). As anticipated, DON reduced (P<0.001) ADG and ADFI by 20 and 12%, respectively, but the interaction was driven by poorer growth performance when Product D was incorporated into DON diets. Additionally, pigs fed DON diets had 9% poorer G:F (P<0.001). Deoxynivalenol-associated reductions in ADG were most distinct (89%) during the initial period (39 vs. 329 g from d 0 to 3), and least marked (18%) during the final period (497 vs. 607 g from d 14 to 21). Adding SMB increased (P<0.01) ADG, ADFI and G:F compared to pigs fed DON-contaminated diets, and also increased (P<0.02) ADG and G:F compared to pigs fed DON-free diets. Overall, Product D was not effective in DON-contaminated diets. While SMB appears promising to restore performance in pelleted DON-contaminated diets, additional research is necessary to clarify the response.

 

Formulated DON, mg/kg:	<0.5	<0.5	4.0	4.0	4.0
Additive:	None	Product D	None	Product D	SMB	SEM
Analyzed DON, mg/kg	0.04	0.06	4.10	4.23	0.35
d 0 to 21
ADG, g	498	510	404	363	543	13.2
ADFI, g	798	805	702	639	772	18.3
G:F	0.625	0.634	0.576	0.567	0.704	0.011
Final BW, kg	23.9	24.2	22.1	21.1	24.8	0.30

 

Keywords: deoxynivalenol, mycotoxin, sodium metabisulfite