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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Effects of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on production and metabolism in broilers.

Three hundred sixty, 1-d-old male broiler chicks were fed diets containing grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins for 56 d. The four diets included control (0.14 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 18 mg/ kg fusaric acid, < 0.1 mg/kg zearalenone), low level of contaminated grains (4.7 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 20.6 mg/kg fusaric acid, 0.2 mg/kg zearalenone), and high level of contaminated grains without (8.2 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 20.3 mg/kg fusaric acid, 0.56 mg/kg zearalenone) and with (9.7 mg/kg deoxynivalenol, 21.6 mg/kg fusaric acid, 0.8 mg/kg zearalenone) 0.2% esterified-glucomannan polymer derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026 (E-GM). Body weight gain and feed consumption responded in a significant quadratic fashion to the inclusion of contaminated grains during the finisher period. Efficiency of feed utilization, however, was not affected by diets. The feeding of contaminated grains in the finisher period also caused significant linear increases in blood erythrocyte count and serum uric acid concentration and a significant linear decline in the serum lipase activity. Dietary inclusion of contaminated grains resulted in a significant quadratic effect on serum albumin and y-glutamyltransferase activity. Blood hemoglobin and biliary IgA concentrations, however, responded in significant linear and quadratic fashions. Supplementation of E-GM counteracted most of the blood parameter alterations caused by the Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated grains and reduced breast muscle redness. It was concluded that broiler chickens may be susceptible to Fusarium mycotoxicoses when naturally contaminated grains are fed containing a combination of mycotoxins.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2003

Efficacy of esterified glucomannan to counteract mycotoxicosis in naturally contaminated feed on performance and serum biochemical and hematological parameters in broilers.

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of esterified glucomannan in counteracting the toxic effects of mycotoxins in naturally contaminated diet (aflatoxin 168 ppb, ochratoxin 8.4 ppb, zearalenone 54 ppb, and T-2 toxin 32 ppb) fed to commercial broilers. One-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary treatments with five replicates of 14 chicks each. Four dietary treatments were 1) control; 2) esterified glucomannan, an adsorbent, tested at 0.05% of diet; 3) naturally contaminated diet; and 4) esterified glucomannan (0.05%) plus naturally contaminated diet. Body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency, hematology, and serum biochemical and enzyme activities were evaluated. Compared with the control, the naturally contaminated diet significantly decreased body weight and feed consumption and resulted in poor feed efficiency. Esterified glucomannan effectively alleviated the growth depression caused by the naturally contaminated diet. Increased relative weights of liver and gizzard were observed in chicks fed the naturally contaminated diet. Further, feeding a naturally contaminated diet was associated with significant decreases in urea nitrogen and hematocrit values along with altered gamma-glutamyl transferase activity; however, urea nitrogen concentration was improved with addition of esterified glucomannan. These findings suggest that addition of dietary esterified glucomannan is effective in counteracting the toxic effects of naturally contaminated feed with mycotoxins.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2005

Effects of feeding grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on hepatic fractional protein synthesis rates of laying hens and the efficacy of a polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding grains naturally contaminated with a combination of Fusarium mycotoxins on hepatic fractional protein synthesis rates (FSR) of laying hens. Thirty-six 32-wk-old laying hens were fed diets formulated with 1) uncontaminated grains, 2) contaminated grains, or 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent for a period of 4 wk. Hepatic FSR were measured in vivo by the flooding-dose method. The feeding of contaminated grains decreased hepatic FSR in laying hens compared with controls after 4 wk. The hepatic FSR of birds fed contaminated grains and contaminated grains + glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent were not different. It was concluded that the in vivo hepatic FSR of laying hens was inhibited by the feeding of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins and that this may explain some of the adverse effects seen when contaminated grains were fed to laying hens.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Effects of feeding grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of laying hens, turkey poults, and broiler breeder hens.

Three experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of laying hens, turkey poults, and broiler breeder hens. In Experiment 1, thirty-six 45-wk-old laying hens were fed diets including the following for 4 wk: 1) control, 2) contaminated grains, and 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GMA). Concentrations of brain neurotransmitters and metabolites were analyzed in pons, hypothalamus, and cortex by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Neurotransmitters and the metabolites measured included dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxylphenyacetic acid, homovanillic acid, serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. The feeding of contaminated grains significantly increased concentrations of 5-HT and decreased the 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid:5-HT in the pons region in the brain stem. Dietary supplementation with GMA prevented these effects. There was no effect of diet on concentrations of other neurotransmitters or metabolites in the pons, hypothalamus, or cortex. In Experiment 2, thirty-six 1-d-old turkey poults were fed diets including the following for 4 wk: 1) control, 2) contaminated grains, and 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% GMA. Hypothalamic, pons, and cortex neurotransmitter concentrations were not affected by diet. In Experiment 3, forty-two 26-wk-old broiler breeder hens were fed diets including the following for 15 wk: 1) control, 2) contaminated grains, and 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% GMA. There was no effect of diet on neurotransmitter concentrations in the pons, hypothalamus, or cortex. It was concluded that differences in intraspecies effects of these mycotoxins on brain neurotransmitter concentrations might explain the intraspecies differences in the severity of Fusarium mycotoxin-induced reductions in feed intake.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2000

Re-establishment of the atomic composition and the oxide structure of contaminated titanium surfaces by means of carbon dioxide laser and hydrogen peroxide: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: In clinical situations with peri-implant bone resorption, re-integration of the exposed implant surface is sometimes preferable, which requires a clean surface. Previous investigations have shown that cleaning of contaminated titanium surfaces using chemical and abrasive methods is difficult. PURPOSE: The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of different combinations of chemical and physical methods (citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and carbon dioxide [CO2] laser irradiation) for removal of contaminants and subsequent reconstruction of the surface oxide of intraorally contaminated titanium foils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commercially pure titanium foils (99.6%, 5 x 5 mm in size) were contaminated by placement on dentures in volunteering patients, simulating a peri-implantitis situation. The contaminated foils and clean control foils were treated by seven and six combinations of citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and CO2 laser irradiation, respectively. The effect of the cleaning procedures was evaluated by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: The initial elemental composition of the contaminated foils was 70% carbon (C), 20% oxygen (O), 10% nitrogen (N), and only traces of titanium (Ti) (< 1%). One treatment proved to be more effective than the others: irradiations by 5-second cycles of superpulsed CO2 laser at a power of 7 W, 10-millisecond pulse width, and with an 80-Hz frequency on a wet surface, followed by repeated application of supersaturated citric acid for 30 seconds, each time followed by rinsing with ultrapure water until all tissue remnants had been removed. Finally, hydrogen peroxide of 10-mM concentration was added to the implant surface and evaporated by CO2 laser at the same settings. This treatment protocol resulted in 10% Ti, 45% O, 41% C, and 2 to 3% N, a composition comparable to that of unused foils: 9% Ti, 40% O, 48% C, and traces of N and chlorine (CI). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy profiles showed that the thickness of the surface oxide was restored and even augmented with this protocol for treatment of contaminated titanium. CONCLUSION: A combination of citric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and CO2 laser irradiation seems to be effective for cleaning and reestablishment of the atomic composition and oxide structure of contaminated titanium surfaces.

Carbon↗

PubMed1997

Absorption by sheep of dieldrin from contaminated soil.

OBJECTIVE: To study the accumulation of dieldrin residues in sheep from ingestion of contaminated soils was studied in two experiments. DESIGN: A controlled feeding study of sheep fed contaminated soils of different type at varying intervals. ANIMALS AND PROCEDURE: Thirty-four 2-year-old wethers were divided into four groups (one control sheep only) and fed water-soluble dieldrin or soil contaminated with aldrin and dieldrin at varying intervals in the first study. In a second study 34 similar sheep were divided into four treatments with one being a control. Sheep were fed sandy, high clay or high organic matter soils with similar dieldrin and aldrin concentrations. RESULTS: In the first study the concentration of dieldrin in the body fat of sheep dosed with dieldrin-contaminated soil was about half that in the body fat of sheep dosed with an equivalent amount of water-soluble dieldrin. The concentration of dieldrin was almost the same in sheep fed 500 micrograms of total dieldrin per day as it was in sheep fed 5000 micrograms every tenth day, over a 50-day period. In the second experiment sheep accumulated nearly three times as much pesticide from a soil with a high organic matter content, and about four times as much from a soil with a high clay content, as from a sandy soil with the same dieldrin content, over a 100-day period. The half-life of dieldrin in the fat of all sheep varied between 96 and 116 days after sheep caused ingesting contaminated soil. CONCLUSIONS: Dieldrin concentrations in the fat of sheep that consume dieldrin contaminated soil fall within 10 days of removal from the source of contamination. However, dieldrin accumulates in the wool of sheep that consume dieldrin contaminated soil.

Absorption↗

PubMed1990

Tissue distribution of a coliphage and Escherichia coli in mussels after contamination and depuration.

Experiments were undertaken to determine the tissue distribution of Escherichia coli and a coliphage after contamination of the common mussel (Mytilus edulis). Mussels were contaminated with high levels of feces-associated E. coli and a 22-nm icosahedral coliphage over a 2-day period in a flowing-seawater facility. After contamination, individual tissues were carefully dissected and assayed for E. coli and the coliphage. Contaminated mussels were also analyzed to determine the tissue distribution of the contaminants after 24- and 48-h depuration periods. The majority of each contaminant was located in the digestive tract (94 and 89% of E. coli and coliphage, respectively). Decreasing concentrations were found in the gills and labial palps, foot and muscles, mantle lobes, and hemolymph. Our results indicate that contamination above levels in water occurred only in the digestive tract. Contaminated mussels were depurated in a commercial-scale recirculating UV depuration system over a 48-h period. The percent reductions of E. coli occurred in the following order: digestive tract, hemolymph, foot and muscles, mantle lobes, and gills and labial palps. The percent reductions of the coliphage were different, occurring in the following order: hemolymph, foot and muscles, gills and labial palps, mantle lobes, and digestive tract. Our results clearly demonstrate that E. coli and the coliphage are differentially eliminated from the digestive tract. The two microorganisms are eliminated at similar rates from the remaining tissues. Our results also clearly show that the most significant coliphage retention after depuration for 48 h is in the digestive tract. Thus, conventional depuration practices are inappropriate for efficient virus elimination from mussels.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Phenotypic and molecular typing of Salmonella strains reveals different contamination sources in two commercial pig slaughterhouses.

This study aimed to define the origin of Salmonella contamination on swine carcasses and the distribution of Salmonella serotypes in two commercial slaughterhouses during normal activity. Salmonellae were isolated from carcasses, from colons and mesenteric lymph nodes of individual pigs, and from the slaughterhouse environment. All strains were serotyped; Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica serotype Derby isolates were additionally typed beyond the serotype level by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antibiotic resistance profiling (ARP); and a subset of 31 serotype Typhimurium strains were additionally phage typed. PFGE and ARP had the same discriminative possibility. Phage typing in combination with PFGE could give extra information for some strains. In one slaughterhouse, 21% of the carcasses were contaminated, reflecting a correlation with the delivery of infected pigs. Carcass contamination did not result only from infection of the corresponding pig; only 25% of the positive carcasses were contaminated with the same serotype or genotype found in the corresponding feces or mesenteric lymph nodes. In the other slaughterhouse, 70% of the carcasses were contaminated, and only in 4% was the same genotype or serotype detected as in the feces of the corresponding pigs. The other positive carcasses in both slaughterhouses were contaminated by genotypes present in the feces or lymph nodes of pigs slaughtered earlier that day or from dispersed sources in the environment. In slaughterhouses, complex contamination cycles may be present, resulting in the isolation of many different genotypes circulating in the environment due to the supply of positive animals and in the contamination of carcasses, probably through aerosols.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed1999

Contaminations occurring in fungal PCR assays.

Successful in vitro amplification of fungal DNA in clinical specimens has been reported recently. In a collaboration among five European centers, the frequency and risk of contamination due to airborne spore inoculation or carryover contamination in fungal PCR were analyzed. The identities of all contaminants were specified by cycle sequencing and GenBank analysis. Twelve of 150 PCR assays that together included over 2,800 samples were found to be contaminated (3.3% of the negative controls were contaminated during the DNA extraction, and 4.7% of the PCR mixtures were contaminated during the amplification process). Contaminants were specified as Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Acremonium spp. Further analysis showed that commercially available products like zymolyase powder or 10x PCR buffer may contain fungal DNA. In conclusion, the risk of contamination is not higher in fungal PCR assays than in other diagnostic PCR-based assays if general precautions are taken.

Acremonium↗

PubMed1993

Microbial contamination of contact lens cases in the west of Scotland.

A cross-sectional study of 178 asymptomatic contact lens wearers attending 10 contact lens practices in the west of Scotland was conducted over a 4 month period. The aims of the study were to identify specific microbial contaminants in lens cases, to determine the rate of contamination of such containers and to assess the value of the steps involved in different lens care regimens in the prevention of case contamination. Microbial contamination affected 53% of lens cases. Cases used with conventional wear and disposable systems were contaminated at similar rates and, therefore, the advantage of regular lens replacement may have been lost if these lenses were stored in contaminated cases. Four percent of lens cases were contaminated with amoebal species and all of these showed concomitant bacterial colonisation. These findings imply that case hygiene is probably as important as lens hygiene if new or disinfected lenses are not to be immediately re-contaminated by storage in dirty cases. Unfortunately simple and effective methods of lens and case disinfection, which would be suitable for use in the average home environment, are not yet available. It follows that frequent and regular disposal of lens cases may prove to be a necessary measure to prevent the build-up of microbial colonisation in such containers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Microbial contamination of medications used to treat glaucoma.

AIMS: A study was conducted to estimate the frequency of contamination of topical antiglaucoma medications used by asymptomatic patients. METHODS: The drops and the bottle tips of 194 in use topical medications and the conjunctiva from 109 treated glaucoma patients were cultured. RESULTS: Bacteria were recovered from 55 (28%) medications. The bottle tip was more frequently contaminated than the drops (p = 0.008). Gram positive organisms were cultured from 50 (91%) of 55 contaminated medications. Thirteen patients (12%) had the same microorganism recovered from the conjunctiva and from the contaminated medication. The frequency of contamination of medications increased with increasing duration of use. Bacterial contamination occurred in 19% of eyedrops less than 8 weeks old in contrast with 40% of bottles used for more than 8 weeks. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that ocular medications to treat glaucoma frequently become contaminated with bacteria and that contamination is related to duration of use. We therefore recommend that opened topical antiglaucoma eyedrops should be replaced on a regular basis.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Assessing and analysing contamination of a dairy products processing plant by Staphylococcus aureus using antibiotic resistance and PFGE.

A dairy product processing plant was studied for 2.5 years to examine contamination with Staphylococcus aureus and try to correlate the source of contamination. Cultures were submitted to an antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) and characterised by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis. Results showed that 35.2% (19/51) of food handlers were asymptomatic carriers of S. aureus, and that 90.4% (19/21) of raw milk sampled was contaminated. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from only 10 samples among more than 3200 investigated dairy products. No S. aureus contamination was found on machinery. The AST analysis demonstrated sensitivity of tested S. aureus to oxacillin, cephalothin, vancomycin, gentamicin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. AST analysis generated eight different phenotypic profiles, but did not allow us to identify the source of contamination in seven of ten final products. PFGE analysis proved to be a sensitive method as it generated 42 different DNA banding profiles among the 48 S. aureus investigated, demonstrating a lack of predominance of endemic strains in the plant, contrary to suggestions raised by antibiotic resistance typing. Based on PFGE genotyping, S. aureus strains isolated from four contaminated final products were similar to four S. aureus isolated from raw milk. Five final products contained S. aureus different from all other strains collected, and one showed similarity to a strain isolated from a food handler. These results suggest contamination by raw milk as the main source of contamination of the final dairy products.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Contribution of the raw material to the aluminum contamination in parenterals.

BACKGROUND: The extent of aluminum contamination in parenteral nutrition solutions was measured in 35 different commercial products, including amino acids, electrolytes, glucose, lipids, vitamins trace elements, and albumin. The extent of aluminum contamination in substances used as raw material for preparation of parenterals was also measured. Chemicals from different manufacturers and of different quality grades were analyzed individually. METHODS: The measurements were done by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The results showed that the same product might have different aluminum content depending on the manufacturer, either for commercial formulations or substances. The highest contaminated chemicals included cystine, NaOH, vitamin C, biotin, gluconate, and Fe and Cr salts. The lowest contaminated chemicals included lipids, apolar amino acids, glucose, HCI, acetic acid, KCl, NaCl, and heparin. Among commercial products, the major contamination rates appeared in calcium gluconate, followed by trace elements, some vitamins, bicarbonate, phosphates salts, and heparin. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the aluminum in commercial products and substances, it can be concluded that the contamination may occur in parenterals because aluminum is present naturally in the chemicals. However, when the composition and concentration of the parenteral solution are considered, the contamination of calcium gluconate, trace elements, some vitamins, phosphates, bicarbonate, and heparin cannot be related only to the raw substances. The aluminum level present in these commercial formulations is too high to come only from the substances; therefore, it is possible that one of the steps of the manufacturing procedure is responsible for elevating the contamination of these products.

Albumins↗

PubMed2002

Washing of gloved hands in antiseptic solution prior to central venous line insertion reduces contamination.

Glove contamination at the time a central venous catheter is handled is highly undesirable and likely to increase the risk of subsequent line infection. This study was designed to determine how frequently gloves become contaminated during central venous line insertion and to demonstrate the value of glove decontamination immediately prior to handling of the central venous catheter During twenty routine internal jugular catheter insertions the sterility of the operator's gloved fingertips (just prior to handling the intravenous catheter) was assessed by touching the fingertips onto blood agar plates. The gloved hands were then rinsed in chlorhexidine/alcohol and after drying were placed onto a further plate. Contamination was detected in 55% of the prewash plates but in none of the postwash plates. Procedures performed by less experienced resident staff had a higher contamination rate despite there being no evident breach of sterile technique. It is likely that glove contamination results from the persistance of bacteria within the deeper layers of the skin, despite surface disinfection. These bacteria may be released by manipulation of the skin when identifying landmarks. This hypothesis was supported by a subsequent observation that gloves were more highly contaminated after firm touching of the skin rather than light touching. Glove contamination during central line insertion is frequent. Catheter contamination rates could be reduced (without risk or additional cost) by rinsing gloved hands in a solution of chlorhexidine (0.5%) in alcohol (70%) prior to handling the catheter.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

PubMed2003

Contamination during removal of cement in revision hip arthroplasty. A cadaver study using ultrasound and high-speed cutters.

Instruments used in surgery which rotate or vibrate at a high frequency can produce potentially contaminated aerosols. Such tools are in use in cemented hip revision arthroplasties. We aimed to measure the extent of the environmental and body contamination caused by an ultrasound device and a high-speed cutter. On a human cadaver we carried out a complete surgical procedure including draping and simulated blood flow contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600). After cemented total hip arthroplasty, we undertook repeated extractions of cement using either an ultrasound device or a high-speed cutter. Surveillance cultures detected any environmental and body contamination of the surgical team. Environmental contamination was present in an area of 6 x 8 m for both devices. The concentration of contamination was lower for the ultrasound device. Both the ultrasound and the high-speed cutter contaminated all members of the surgical team. The devices tested produced aerosols which covered the whole operating theatre and all personnel present during the procedure. In contaminated and infected patients, infectious agents may be present in these aerosols. We therefore recommend the introduction of effective measures to control infection and thorough disinfection of the operating theatre after such procedures.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2001

Potential health and environmental issues of mercury-contaminated amalgamators.

BACKGROUND: Dental amalgamators may become contaminated internally with metallic mercury. This contamination may result from mercury leakage from capsules during trituration or from the long-term accrual from microscopic exterior contaminants that result from the industrial assembly process. The potential health risk to dental personnel from this contamination is unknown. METHODS: The authors assessed used amalgamators from the federal service inventory for the amounts of mercury vapor levels, as well as the visual presence of mercury contamination. They evaluated these amalgamators for potential mercury vapor health risk, using established National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health methods and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists standards. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 amalgamators assessed had measurable mercury vapor levels. Four amalgamators were found to have internal static mercury vapor levels above Occupational Safety and Health Administration ceiling limit thresholds. During a simulated worst-case clinical use protocol, the authors found that no amalgamators produced mercury vapor in the breathing space of dental personnel that exceeded established time-weighted federal mercury vapor limits. CONCLUSIONS: Amalgamators may be contaminated internally with metallic mercury. Although the authors detected mercury vapor from these units during aggressive, simulated clinical use, dilution factors combined with room air exchange were found to keep health risks below established federal safety thresholds. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Dental personnel should be aware that amalgamators may be contaminated with mercury and produce minute amounts of mercury vapor. These contaminated amalgamators may require disposal as environmentally hazardous waste.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗

PubMed2005

Cancer risk associated with receipt of vaccines contaminated with simian virus 40: epidemiologic research.

Simian virus (SV)40 was an accidental contaminant of poliovirus vaccines used widely in the USA and other countries in 1955-1962. Exposure to SV40 via contaminated vaccines has led to concern as SV40 causes cancer in laboratory animals. In addition, some laboratories, although not all, have detected SV40 DNA in human tumors including mesothelioma, certain brain tumors, osteosarcoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. This article reviews the data regarding contamination of poliovirus vaccines with SV40 and summarizes the results from epidemiologic studies of vaccine recipients. Long-term follow-up studies have not revealed recipients of SV40-contaminated poliovirus vaccines to be at an increased risk for cancer. Thus, these studies are somewhat reassuring and indicate that either SV40 does not readily infect humans or, following infection, does not cause cancer. Recognizing that the history of SV40 contamination of vaccines highlights an inherent risk of contamination of vaccines with adventitious agents, the Institute of Medicine recently called for the development of a comprehensive US plan to prevent vaccine contamination and respond to potential contamination events when they arise.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on feed intake, metabolism, and indices of athletic performance of exercised horses.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins to mature, exercised horses, and to test the efficacy of a polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GM polymer) in preventing Fusarium mycotoxicoses. Six mature, mixed-breed mares with an average BW of 530 kg were assigned to one of three dietary treatments for 21 d in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Feed consumed each day was a combination of up to 3.5 kg of concentrates and 5.0 kg of mixed timothy/alfalfa hay (as-fed basis). The concentrates fed included 1) manage; 2) blend of contaminated grains; and 3) contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer (MTB-100, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY). Concentrates containing contaminated grains averaged 11.0 ppm deoxynivalenol, 0.7 ppm 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, and 0.8 ppm zearalenone (as-fed basis). Feed intake and BW were monitored over a 21-d period. Horses were maintained on a fixed exercise schedule throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, each horse completed a time-to-fatigue treadmill step test. Variables measured during pretest, each step of the test, and 5 and 10 min posttest were as follows: 1) time-to-fatigue, 2) heart rate, 3) hematological variables, and 4) serum lactate concentration. Each step consisted of 2 min of fast trot with a 2% increase in incline after each 2 min. Feed intake by horses fed contaminated grains was decreased compared with controls throughout the experiment (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 0.2% GM polymer to the contaminated diet did not alter feed intake by horses compared with those fed the unsupplemented contaminated diet. All hay was consumed regardless of concentrate fed. Weight loss from 0 to 21 d was observed in horses fed contaminated grains compared with controls (P < 0.05). No effect of diet was seen on variables used to measure athletic ability, although the results showed an expected response to exercise for a fit horse. We conclude that exercised horses are susceptible to Fusarium mycotoxicoses as indicated by appetite suppression and weight loss.

Animal Feed↗