Review article
The influence of mycotoxins on ruminant health and performance
T. Mašek
Vlasta Šerman
Abstract
Contamination of foods and feeds with mycotoxins is a significant problem. Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites of molds that have adverse effects on humans, animals, and crops. Aflatoxins, ochratoxins, trichothecenes, zearelenone, fumonisins, tremorgenic toxins, and ergot alkaloids are the most important mycotoxins in animal production. Some molds are capable of producing more than one mycotoxin and some mycotoxins are produced by more than one fungal species. Mycotoxins could be synthesised before harvest, during harvest or during storage. Mycotoxins have acute and chronic effects on animals depending on species and susceptibility of an animal within a species. Ruminants are more resistant to the adverse effects of mycotoxins than the monogastric animals. The main reason for that is microbial degradation of mycotoxines. Protozoa are even more important in biodegradation than bacteria. However, production, reproduction, and growth can be altered when ruminants consume mycotoxin-contaminated feed for extended periods of time. Special problem is possible presence of mycotoxines and their metabolites in animal products. Beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and deer are among ruminants that have been investigated.
Keywords
fungi; mycotoxins; mycotoxicoses; health; performance
Hrčak ID:
3633
URI
Publication date:
7.3.2006.
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