Acute experimentally induced aflatoxicosis in the weanling pony

Nineteen weanling ponies and 1 adult pony were given a single oral dose of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Dosages were: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.4 mg of AFB1/kg of body weight. Vital signs were monitored, and whole blood and serum collected for analysis of serum enzymes, prothrombin time, blood cell counts, and serum urea nitrogen. Ponies that died were examined for gross lesions, and tissues were collected for histopathologic examination and analysis of AFB1 and AFM1 residues. Two of the 4 ponies given the 2 mg/kg dose and all ponies given the larger dosages died within 76 hours. Clinical signs included increased rectal temperature, faster heart and respiratory rates, abdominal straining, bloody feces, and tetanic convulsions. At necropsy, ponies that died of acute aflatoxicosis showed visceral petechiae and hepatic focal lesions. Histopathologic changes included severe hepatic necrosis, vacuolation, and bile duct hyperplasia. Aflatoxins B1 and M1 were recovered from liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, and gastrointestinal contents. One other pony given the 2 mg/kg dose died 32 days after dosing, and 1 control pony died after 70 days. Continuous elevations in prothrombin time and serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were observed in ponies dosed at 4 mg/kg or more. Significant (P less than 0.05) elevations in these values, which peaked 2 to 3 days after dosing, were seen in ponies given the 2 mg/kg dose. This group also had significant increases over controls in PCV and hemoglobin concentration 5 days after dosing.     

Aflatoxicosis in Iowa swine: eight cases (1983-1985)

During 1983, 1984, and 1985, aflatoxicosis was diagnosed in 8 Iowa swine herds after the herds were fed corn from the 1983 corn crop. As a result of the diagnosis, the associated environmental conditions, clinical signs of aflatoxicosis, macroscopic and microscopic lesions, aflatoxin concentrations detected in feeds, and management of affected swine were reviewed. Concentrations of aflatoxin in shelled corn and complete feed were as high as 2,020 ng and 1,200 ng of aflatoxin (B1 and B2)/g of feed, respectively. Clinical signs of aflatoxicosis included decreased feed consumption and weight loss. Some pigs died acutely, but death often was preceded by a period of clinical disease. Greater morbidity and mortality were observed in swine herds that consumed greater concentrations of aflatoxin.     

Effects of various treatments on induced chronic aflatoxicosis in rabbits

Male New Zealand White rabbits were orally given 0.05 mg of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)/kg of body weight daily for 10 days and were treated with glutathione-precursors and depletor, antibacterial agents, or sodium thiosulfate. The drug administered, the mortality, and the mean survival time were as follows: corn-oil controls (0), euthanatized at 25 days; AFB1-controls (2), 21 days; AFB1 and saline controls (2), 22 days; cysteine and AFB1 (5), 13 days; methionine and AFB1 (5), 12 days; sodium thiosulfate and AFB1 (2), 21 days; sulfadimethoxine and AFB1 (1), 24 days; oxytetracycline and AFB1 (0), euthanatized at 25 days; and ethyl maleate and AFB1 (3), 21 days. Clinical signs of toxicosis included decreased feed consumption during AFB1 administration, loss of body weight or failure to gain, and death. Clinicopathologic changes included increases in serum bilirubin concentration and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times were lengthened. Plasma fibrinogen concentration was decreased. Changes in PCV, hemoglobin concentration, and serum alkaline phosphatase were unremarkable. Oxytetracycline had protective effects against chronic aflatoxicosis in rabbits. Cysteine and methionine enhanced chronic aflatoxicosis.     

An overview of aflatoxicosis of poultry: its characteristics, prevention and reduction

Aflatoxicosis represents one of the serious diseases of poultry, livestock and other animals. The cause of this disease in poultry and other food-producing animals has been attributed to the ingestion of various feeds contaminated with A. flavus. This toxigenic fungus is known to produce a group of extremely toxic metabolites, of which aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is most potent. Avian species especially chicks, goslings, ducklings and turkey poults are most susceptible to AFB1 toxicity. The toxic effects of AFB1 are mainly localized in liver as manifested by hepatic necrosis, bile duct proliferation, icterus and hemorrhage. Chronic toxicity in those birds is characterized by loss of weight, decline in feed efficiency, drop in egg production and increased susceptibility to infections. The incidence of hepatocellular tumors, particularly in ducklings, is considered to be one of the serious consequences of aflatoxicosis. Even though prevention and avoidance are the best way to control aflatoxicosis, natural contamination of crops with A. flavus is sometimes unavoidable. Such aflatoxin-contaminated feeds can be decontaminated using various methods which mainly focus on physical removal or chemical inactivation of the toxins in the feeds. Moreover, dietary additives such as activated charcoal, phenobarbital, cysteine, glutathione, betacarotene, fisetin and selenium have also been reported to be effective in the reduction of aflatoxicosis in poultry.     

Experimental combined aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A intoxication in pigs

Twenty-one pigs weighing approximately 18 kg were placed in 7 groups of 3 and given diets containing respectively aflatoxin B1 alone at 0.375 and 0.0750 mg/kg, ochratoxin A alone at 1 and 2 mg/kg, 0.375 mg/kg of aflatoxin B1 plus 1 mg/kg of ochratoxin A and 0.750 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 2 mg/kg of ochratoxin A. The remaining group served as untreated control. At the respective dose levels, pigs receiving similar doses of ochratoxin A alone or in combination with aflatoxin B1, were similarly affected, the clinical effects of aflatoxin having been mostly obscured by those due to ochratoxin A. Mild degenerative hepatic changes typical of aflatoxicosis were observed in pigs fed this toxin alone or in combination with ochratoxin A. In kidneys of pigs fed diet containing 1 and 2 mg of ochratoxin A alone changes included interstitial fibrosis of the vortex and dystrophy and degeneration of the tubular epithelium. Similar lesions but less pronounced fibrosis were found in kidneys of pigs receiving both toxins. The respective lower dose levels of mycotoxins selected were judged to be about the no-effect levels for each dosed separately under the conditions of the trial. Such levels have been found not infrequently on mould affected grain and stock foods. The result highlights the difficulties that may be experienced in the recognition of such multimycotoxicoses as they are likely to occur in the field and indicate the need for toxicological analysis as well as pathological investigation in establishing a diagnosis.     

The effect of aflatoxins on growth in pigs and the biological value of the meat

Twelve pigs were subjected to model trials to study the effect of an aflatoxin-contaminated pig-fattening diet, administered for 26 days. Aflatoxin B1 constituted 55% of the aflatoxins tested. The aflatoxin concentrations used in the trials were 30 and 300 micrograms per 1 kg of feed. No clinical effect of aflatoxin was observed in the pigs. Aflatoxins were found to have adverse effects on proteosynthesis. A decrease in the weight gains of the pigs was accompanied by a decrease in the total plasma protein and, in the group with the higher aflatoxin dose (300 micrograms per 1 kg of feed), also by an increase in the total bilirubin concentration in the blood serum. Perilobular steatosis, dissociation of the liver trabeculae, and more pronounced activation of the reticuloendothelial system were demonstrated by the histological examination of liver tissue. An increase in the content of hydroxyproline was recorded in the muscle of the experimental pigs. It is documented by the results that the aflatoxin dose of 30 micrograms per 1 kg of feed (the recommended maximum admissible concentration for the Czech Socialist Republic) is high enough to reduce the performance of pigs and the biological value of their meat.     

Biological suppression of aflatoxicosis in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) by dietary addition of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

The amelioration of aflatoxicosis in Japanese quails was examined by the dietary addition of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; SCE). Yeast incorporated into the diet at 1 g kg(-1) was evaluated for its ability to reduce the deleterious effects of 2.5 mg total aflatoxin (AF; 82.30 per cent AFB1, 2.06 per cent AFB2, 7.68 per cent AFG1 and 7.96 per cent AFG2) kg(-1)diet on growing Japanese quail chicks from 10 days to 45 days of age. Forty 10-day-old Japanese quail chicks were assigned to 2x2 factorial arrangement of treatments (control, AF, SCE, AF plus SCE) each consisting of 10 quails. The performances of birds were evaluated. The AF treatment significantly and dramatically decreased food consumption and body-weight gain from the first week onwards. The significant adverse effect of AF on the food conversion ratio was also determined from week 1 to the end of the experiments. The addition of SCE to the AF -containing diet significantly reduced these deleterious effects of AF on food consumption, body-weight gain and food conversion ratio. Compared to controls, the cumulative body weight gain was reduced by 37 per cent among the quails consuming AF without SCE, but increased 15 per cent for the birds fed AF plus SCE. Interestingly, the single inclusion of SCE to the AF-free diet provided significant improvements in all the investigated growth performances of birds (approximately 40 per cent) compared to controls.     

Clinical and pathologic changes in acute bovine aflatoxicosis: rumen motility and tissue and fluid concentrations of aflatoxins B1 and M1

Effects of aflatoxin on bovine rumen motility were determined by radiotelemetric techniques. Aflatoxin altered amplitude and/or frequency of rumen contractions in steers given dosages of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 mg of aflatoxin/kg of body weight. Effects of aflatoxin on rumen motility were dose dependent. An increase in elimination time of aflatoxin from rumen contents was observed in steers given the aflatoxin dosages of 0.4 to 0.8 mg/kg. The increase in elimination time of this toxin facilitates diagnostic capabilities for detecting bovine aflatoxicosis by obtaining rumen contents for analysis for aflatoxin. Aflatoxin M1 was detected in rumen contents from steers at 2 hours after aflatoxin was administered. Thus, intraruminal metabolism of aflatoxin B1 to M1 may occur.     

Modification of the effects of aflatoxin B1 and warfarin in young pigs given selenium

Selenium may be related to the hepatic metabolism of the coumarin compounds aflatoxin B1 and warfarin. Selenium evidently increased the pharmacologic activity of warfarin, probably due to a displacement of warfarin from albumin by selenium, the close relationship among selenium, vitamin E, and sulphur-containing groups (eg, glutathione), or the antioxidant effect of selenium. A diet containing selenium in a concentration of 2.5 mg/kg of feed was protective against the toxic effects of both coumarins in pigs given 4 daily oral doses of 0.2 mg/kg of body weight. Selenium, as glutathione peroxidase, at least in part, protects the hepatic cells against the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 and warfarin. The protection was demonstrated by alteration of clinical responses and hematologic (prothrombin times), electrophoretic, and clinical chemistry values. It also was demonstrated that selenium at 2.5 mg/kg of feed does not produce toxic effects; however, dietary selenium at a concentration of 5 mg/kg (and in the presence of both toxic agents) was toxic for young pigs within the 3-week experimental period. Warfarin was more active as an anticoagulant than aflatoxin B1.     

On the effects of a chronic deoxynivalenol intoxication on performance, haematological and serum parameters of pigs when diets are offered either for ad libitum consumption or fed restrictively

Wheat infected naturally with Fusarium, contaminated mainly with deoxynivalenol (DON) (16.6 mg DON/kg), was added to a total constant wheat content of 400 g/kg diet. To distinguish between differences in feed intake and specific effects of the DON contaminated diet, control and DON contaminated feed was administered for 11 weeks under ad libitum and restrictive feeding conditions to 48 pigs of both sexes, which were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 per group). Feed intake was 2.90 kg/day, live weight gain 987 g/day and feed to gain ratio 2.77 kg/kg for the ad libitum fed control group. The group fed DON contaminated wheat ad libitum significantly consumed 15% less feed and gained 13% less live weight, while the feed to gain ratio was unaffected. Moreover, it was concluded that the lower growth performance by DON contaminated feed resulted mainly from the lower voluntary feed intake, because there were no differences in live weight gain between the groups with the restrictive feeding regimen. On the contrary, metabolizable energy, nitrogen retention digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre were significantly increased by 3, 10, 3, 6, 9 and 20% in the DON group respectively. Animals fed DON contaminated diets needed more time to consume the restrictive ration than the control group. For example in the first hour after feeding 85% of the control pigs had consumed all feed, but only 39% of the DON group had. There were only few differences in haematological and serum parameters, which were characterized by a high variation between individuals. DON and IgA concentrations in serum were significantly influenced by DON exposure.     

Studies on production performance and toxin residues in tissues and eggs of layer chickens fed on diets with various concentrations of aflatoxin AFB1

1. An experiment on 1-week-old, White Leghorn female chicks was conducted to study the effect of aflatoxin AFB1 on weight gain, feed intake, feed gain ratio, age at sexual maturity, production and quality of eggs, retention of nutrients, pathoanatomical and histopathological parameters, and also on AFB1 residues in eggs and muscles of hens. The chicks were assigned to 4 dietary treatments: D1 (without AFB1), D2 (2.50 mg/kg AFB1), D3 (3.13 mg/kg AFB1), D4 (3.91 mg/kg AFB1) up to the age of 40 weeks. 2. At the end of the experiment, the mean body weight gain and feed intake were significantly lower in all aflatoxin-fed groups compared to control. The feed gain ratios were noted as 13.41, 13.59, 13.82 and 14.71, with the group fed the highest concentration of AFB1 showing a significantly poorer ratio than other groups. 3. Age at sexual maturity was also affected adversely by dietary AFB1: 193 d for D4 as compared to as early as 148 d for D1. Hen-d egg production was recorded as 96.92, 74.67, 65.98 and 50.75 in D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. 4. Average egg weights at the end of the experiment were 57.77, 57.49, 57.54 and 54.66 for D1, D2, D3 and D4, respectively. Shape index was significantly lower in D4 as compared to control. Contrary to this, albumen index was significantly higher in D4 as compared to D1. The values of yolk indices and eggshell thickness did not differ significantly among treatment groups. However, colour of yolk was reduced in all aflatoxin-fed groups compared to control. 5. Retentions of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, calcium and metabolisable energy were adversely affected at various levels of AFB1 compared to control. 6. Pathoanatomical and histopathological studies showed various adverse changes in liver, kidney, heart, ovaries and bursa of Fabricius in AFB1-fed groups. 7. Different amounts of aflatoxin residues were detected in eggs and breast muscles of hen in all AFB1-fed groups.     

Chemical study of body organs in papular dermatitis in fattened pigs

In twenty fattened pigs with papular dermatitis (PD) and in seventeen pigs with no skin lesions (K),--the pigs had the live weight from 95 to 105 kg and came from a D. large fattening house situated in a region with extensive mining (lignite extraction)--we analyzed the skin, muscle, kidneys and liver for the contents of chemical elements (zinc, copper, manganese, lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium) and aflatoxin B1. In pancreas we analyzed only the content of aflatoxin B1. In comparison with the K group, the pigs with PD had in the skin the higher contents of zinc (PD 15.7 +/- 7.1 mg per kg, K 10.1 +/- 1.3 mg per kg, P less than 0.05) and aflatoxin B1 (PD 3.18 +/- 1.53 micrograms per kg, K 1.56 +/- 0.49 microgram per kg, P less than 0.05); in the muscle the higher contents of zinc (PD 30.2 +/- 7.6 mg per kg, K 23.8 +/- 5.4 mg per kg, P less than 0.05), of lead (PD 0.48 +/- 0.31 mg per kg, K 0.25 +/- 0.28 mg per kg, P less than 0.05) and copper (PD 3.19 +/- 3.11 mg per kg, K 0.98 +/- 0.41 mg per kg, P less than 0.01); in the kidneys the higher contents of lead (PD 0.96 +/- 0.75 mg per kg, K 0.26 +/- 0.34 mg per kg, P less than 0.01), cadmium (PD 0.38 +/- 0.14 mg per kg, K 0.26 +/- 0.20 mg per kg, P less than 0.05), manganese (PD 1.14 +/- 0.04 mg per kg, K 0.94 +/- 0.42 mg per kg, P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lysine requirement of fattening sows depending on their performance. 2. Relations between energy consumption and live weight increase

105 growing sows in the live weight range were fed with 7 test rations with graduated energy and amino acid levels. The growth intensity was very much influenced by the daily energy consumption. On the basis of regression analysis the following linear relation between daily weight increase (y in g per kg live weight0,75) and the daily energy consumption (x in energetic feed units for pigs per kg live weight0,75) was calculated: y = -13,79 + 0,7037 x (r = 0,84, sb -0,0295). The interpolation with regard to live weight balance resulted in a maintenance requirement of 19,8 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 70 kcal net energy fat for pigs per kg live weight0,75. The methods of assessment chosen showed an increase of the energy requirement per 100 g additional live weight increase per day of a constant amount, independent of the live weight, of 142 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 497 kcal net energy fat for pigs.     

Effects of aflatoxin on the growth performance and immune responses of weanling swine

Aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated ground corn was mixed with a commercial swine ration to yield 2 concentrations (500 mg of AFB1/kg of feed [A] and 300 mg of AFB1/kg [B]) and was fed to 2 groups of pigs. Groups A and B were fed the AF-containing ration, whereas control group C was fed the same commercial ration mixed with ground corn devoid of AF. A comparative analysis of the average weight gain per pig in each of the treatment groups, compared with that in the control group, indicated a significantly (P less than 0.01) greater weight gain in the control group. The average feed conversion rate was also significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in group A pigs, compared with that in the control group. The humoral immune response to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, did not reveal a significant difference among groups; there were no consistent differences observed in the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to mitogens. In contrast, a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in complement titers was observed, whereas an increase in serum immunoglobulin G and M values occurred in the AF-treated group A, compared with that in group C. Gross enlargement of the liver, substantiated by histologic evidence of toxic damage to the hepatic parenchyma, revealed that AF at concentrations of 500 mg/kg of feed was toxigenic and produced an adverse effect on the growth rate, feed efficiency, and general well-being of young pigs.     

Feedlot performance and tissue residues of cattle consuming diets containing aflatoxins

A comparative slaughter feeding trial was conducted using crossbred Hereford-Angus steers. Cottonseed meal known to be contaminated with aflatoxins was fortified with long-grain rice cultures of Aspergillus flavus to produce complete rations that contained 0, 60, 300 and 600 ppb aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Forty steers, weighing approximately 250 kg were randomly assigned to four equal treatment groups. Animals were housed in individual pens and fed the assigned contaminated ration ad libitum for 155 d. On d 156 all animals were placed on the control ration for 14 d. Animals were weighed and blood samples collected every month for clinical chemistry analysis. Liver, muscle and fat biopsies were collected at 6-wk intervals. These samples were stored in liquid N2 prior to analysis for aflatoxin M1 and B1 content. Separate liver samples were taken for histopathological examination. Aflatoxin was withdrawn from the diet 2 wk prior to slaughter. After 1 wk of withdrawal liver, muscle and fat samples were collected and assayed for AFB1 and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). Liver samples also were taken for histopathological examination. Growth rates and feed intakes in the 60 and 300 ppb aflatoxin treatments were not significantly different from controls. The 600-ppb treatment group had a decrease in feed intake and rate of gain. Rations containing 60 and 300 ppb of aflatoxin had no significant influence on blood components and enzyme patterns. The 600-ppb treatment caused a slight, but consistent, increase in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Danish investigations concerning body composition of pigs in relation to nutrition,sex and slaughter weight

Several Danish investigations were carried out in order to elucidate the influence of nutrition, sex and slaughter weight on the body composition in pigs. In this paper we discuss whether selection of breeding animals should be based mainly on: (1) per cent meat in the carcass, (2) a combination of per cent meat, daily gain and feed consumption per kg live weight gain, or maybe better, (3) a combination of per cent meat and feed consumption per kg meat produced.Investigations comprising five different energy and protein levels and 1100 pigs slaughtered at live weights varying from 80 to 120 kg showed that both feeding intensity and slaughter weight influenced the carcass composition. Increasing feeding intensity and increasing slaughter weight caused a deterioration in the ratio between meat and subcutaneous fat. The feeding intensity had only little influence on kg meat produced whereas increasing feeding intensity caused an increase in kg subcutaneous fat produced.The females contained more meat than did the male castrates. Besides, the deterioration in carcass composition due to increasing slaughter weight and feeding intensity were lower in the females than in the male castrates. Daily gain increased with increasing feeding intensity. The investigations indicate maximal protein synthesis to take place within the live weight area of 90–100 kg.High correlations were found between the chemical composition of the different anatomical fractions in 90-kg pigs. The empty pigs (live weight minus the content of the digestive tract) weighed on average 80.8 kg, of which 42.0% was dry matter. The dry matter contained 41.1% protein, 51.1% chemical fat, 7.7% ash and 7080 kcal per kg. The meat fraction contained 55% of the protein, 30% of the chemical fat and 38% of the energy in the empty pigs.     

Effect of some enzyme inducers, fluids, and methionine-thiosulfate on induced acute aflatoxicosis in goats

Groups of four 6- to 12-month-old male goats were injected intraruminally with a lethal dose (3 mg/kg of body weight) of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Drugs were administered parenterally before (pretreatment) or beginning 8 hours after goats were doses with AFB1. These drugs were phenobarbital (PB), phenylbutazone (PBZ), piperonyl butoxide (PRO), benzoflavones, water, and 5% glucose solution (D5W). Most groups given the drugs after AFB1 was administered also were given intraperitoneal injections of methionine-sodium thiosulfate (MET-TS) solution. Clinical signs of toxicosis, serum aspartate aminotransferase activities, serum bilirubin concentrations, duration of illness, mortality, and gross and microscopic pathologic findings taken together indicated that toxicosis was increased with MET-TS + PB therapy, PBZ pretreatment, PBZ therapy, benzoflavone pretreatment, benzoflavone therapy, MET-TS + benzoflavone therapy, and MET-tS + water therapy. Toxicosis was not altered appreciably by MET-TS + PBO therapy. Beneficial effects (less severe toxicosis) were produced by PB pretreatment; these effects were prolonged maintenance of strength, vigor, and appetite and (in 1 goat that recovered) absence of pathologic changes or serum bilirubin increase. Therapy with MET-TS + D5W (but not MET-TS alone) also lengthened maintenance of strength, vigor, and appetite, but did not prevent pathologic changes. The beneficial effect of MET-TS therapy reported in a previous study (AFB2 dosage of 4 mg/kg) was not observed with the 3 mg/kg lethal dose. In conclusion, therapy for acute aflatoxicosis with inducers of hepatic microsomal enzymes is ineffective (PBO) or contraindicated (PB, PBZ, benzoflavones). Therapy with D5W may be a useful adjunct to other therapeutic drugs, but multiple intraperitoneal injections of D5W may decrease survival time because of stress.     

Ecotoxicologic relations on a large pig-fattening farm located in a lignite mining area and near and solid-fuel electical power plant]

Major contaminants identified in 1983-1984 on a pig fattening farm with an output of 60,000 pigs per annum, located in a lignite mining area and near a solid fuel power plant, were mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium and aflatoxin B1 (Tab. I, II, III, IV). Feed samples were collected from througs to assess the contamination load at feed uptake. Permissible concentrations of mercury, chromium, cadmium, aflatoxin B1, lead and atrazin in the feed were exceeded in 56, 50, 31, 19, 6 and 6% samples, respectively (Tab. I). Stable dust deposits, in which the contaminants concentrate, (Tab. I) proved to be a suitable material for assessing the type and level of environmental contamination. Permissible concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in porcine muscles were exceeded in 65, 51 and 24% samples, respectively (Tab. III). Corresponding values of mercury, cadmium, lead and aflatoxin B1 in the liver were 27, 27, 16 and 3%, respectively (Tab. III) and those of mercury, lead and chromium in kidneys 24, 22 and 5%, respectively (Tab. III). Rather surprisingly, elevated pancreatic concentrations of aflatoxin B1 were found (Tab. IV). Pigs fattened in the contaminated environment (i.e. fed contaminated feed mixtures, inspiring contaminated dust and absorbing percutaneously contaminants form dust deposits on the body surface) showed: 1) Impairment of the genetic apparatus (percentage of aberrant peripheral leucocytes elevated to 6.2%); 2) a certain degree of immunosuppression (concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA reduced by 16.9, 45.1 and 45.0%, respectively); 3) higher feed consumption per 1 kg weight gain (4 kg) and lower average daily weight gain (0.57 kg); 4) increased incidence of health disorders (dermatitis in 25%, pancreatopathy in 13%, liver dystrophy in 8% and femoral fracture in 6% of the pigs). Unfortunately, the authors were not allowed to analyse ash and solid emissions from the power plant. Therefore the share of the emissions in the overall environmental contamination on the fattening farm could not be quantified. The personnel, working in the contaminated environment for a prolonged period, is endangered most of all by stable dust, being exposed to its mechanical, chemical, allergic and infectious effects (Tab. I). In addition to the chemical contaminants, 21 mould genera and species, six mite species and numerous saprophytic and some pathogenic bacteria were demonstrated in stable dust samples in our earlier experiments. Consumption of meat and organs from pigs fattened in a contaminated environment is associated with the risk of an increased uptake of various contaminants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Excessive dietary selenium to primiparous sows and their offspring. I. Influence on reproduction and growth

The effect of high dietary selenium (Se) on the reproductive performance, growth and health in pigs was examined. Addition of 0 to 16 mg Se per kg feed to sows and their piglets up to nine weeks of age did not cause any manifest toxic effect. None of the sows died due to the Se treatment. The piglets were all fullborn and showed no macroscopic abnormalities. The treatment did not influence neither the number of liveborn and stillborn piglets in the litter, nor the survival of the piglets until 9 weeks of age. The weight of the whole litter at birth was unaffected by the Se supplementation, while there was a significant difference in body weight of the piglets at 9 weeks of age. The weaned pigs receiving 8 or 16 mg Se per kg feed had a reduced feed intake. As the feed utilization was unaffected by treatment, these pigs had a significantly lower weight at 9 weeks of age.