Aflatoxin Aflatoxin is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species of Aspergillus and more rarely Penicillium and it contaminates corn, peanuts, rice, sorghum, sunflower seeds, tree nuts, and wheat. Aflatoxicosis is an acute or chronicle mycotoxicosis produced by aflatoxins. Naturally, ruminants seem to be more resistant to the action of aflatoxins compared to other species of animals.


Deoxynivalenol Deoxynivalenol or vomitoxin is a mycotoxin developed by fungi species of Fusarium which contaminate corn and other small grains such as wheat, barley, and oats. Ruminants can typically transform the toxin into a less toxic product as it passes through their digestive tract due to their rumen microbes.


Fumonisins Fumonisins are a group of mycotoxins derived from several fungi species of Fusarium which contaminate corn silage. Fu- monisins are not significantly degraded in the rumen and therefore the majority of fumonisins consumed by cattle are passed out in the faeces.


Ochratoxin A Ochratoxins are compounds developed by fungi species of Penicillium and Aspergillus which contaminate cereal grain, vegetables, and combined forage. Ochratoxicosis is an acute or chronicle mycotoxicosis produced by ochratoxins and it is rarely reported in cattle which is attributed to the ability of the rumen microbiota


Maize/corn is often supplied to livestock animals as a raw material.


to easily degrade ochratoxin to non-toxic forms.


Zearalenone Zearalenone is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species of the Fusarium. Zearalenone is heat-stable and is found worldwide in several cereal crops, such as maize, barley, oats, wheat, rice, and sorghum.


T-2 toxin T-2 toxin has a similar chemical structure to deoxynivalenol, and it is developed by fungi species of Fusarium which contaminates grains such as corn, barley, wheat, and oat. Effects of T-2 toxin are less well established in cattle than in laboratory animals.


Ergot alkaloids Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins produced by fungi species of


Table 1- Clinical signs of major mycotoxins in lactating cows, heifers, and calves. Mycotoxins


Lactating cows Aflatoxin Loss in body mass, lameness, rough hair coat,


diarrhoea, rectal prolapse, decrease in feed intake, feed conversion, milk production, reproduction capacity, and rumen fermentation


Deoxynivalenol Anorexia, gastrointestinal lesions, reduced ruminal fermentation and milk yield


Fumonisins Ochratoxin A Zearalenone T-2 toxin Slight decline in feed consumption


Reduced milk yield, and feed intake, hepatotoxicity, Delayed growth and reproductive performance nephrotoxicity, and reproduction problems Anorexia, diarrhoea, difficulty in rising and cessation of milk production


Anorexia, diarrhoea Abnormal oestrus cycle, vaginitis, and sterility


Feed refusal, production losses, gastroenteritis lesions, intestinal haemorrhages, and death


Severe liver failure


Lethargy, loss of appetite, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity


Kidney involvement, reduced feed intakes and per- formance, hunched stance, epicardial haemorrhages


Depression in conception rate, changes in the repro- Changes in the reproductive organs ductive organs, abnormal mammary development Changes in reproductive organs


Feed refusal and diarrhoea


Ergot alkaloids Vasoconstriction, lameness, swelling in fetlocks and Blood vessel congestion, perivascular haemorrhage, Lameness, swelling and reddening of the coronary hock joints, heat intolerance, weight loss, and rough hair


vasoconstriction, and tail gangrene bands of the hoof, and tail discoloration 8 ▶ MYCOTOXINS | NOVEMBER 2021 Heifers Delayed growth and reproductive performance Calves Depression, neurological signs, liver lesion, fibrosis


PHOTO: DREAMSTIME


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