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Effects of a deoxynivalenol-contaminated diet on the reproductive performance and immunoglobulin concentrations in pigs

B. Jakovac-Strajn, DVM, MVSc¹, A. Vengut, DVM, MVSc, PhD² and U. Pestevek, DVM, MVSc, PhD¹

¹ Institute for Hygiene and Pathology of Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
² National Veterinary Institute, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbiceva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Correspondence: E-mail for correspondence: breda.jakovac-strajn{at}vf.uni-lj.si

Two groups of 10 pregnant gilts (89 ± 2 days gestation) were fed either an experimental diet that contained 5·08 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 0·09 mg/kg zearalenone and 21·6 mg/kg fusaric acid, or a control diet that contained 0·29 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, <0·02 mg/kg zearalenone and <0·77 mg/kg fusaric acid. The concentrations of immunoglobulins were measured in sera of the gilts and in the colostrum and serum of the piglets by radial immunodiffusion. The feed consumption of the sows fed the experimental diet was significantly lower and the overall growth rate of their piglets was significantly reduced. On average, parturition took 80 minutes longer in sows fed the experimental diet. On day 17 after parturition, the concentration of IgM in the serum of the experimental gilts was significantly higher, but the concentration of IgA in their colostrum was significantly lower, than in the control gilts. In the serum of the piglets 12, 24 and 48 hours after first suckling, the concentrations of IgA and IgG were significantly lower in those farrowed by the sows fed the experimental diet than in those farrowed by the sows fed the control diet.