Effects of fumonisin B-1-contaminated feeds on weanling Angora goats

Two diets containing no (< 1.0 mg/kg) or 95 mg of fumonisin B-1 (FB1)/kg we re fed to eight weanling Angora goats for 112 d. Dry matter intake, apparen t nutrient digestibilities, serum chemistry profiles, sphingolipid concentr ations, and persistency of FB1 in tissues were evaluated. No differences (P >.10) were found between control and treated goats in terms of DMI, appare nt nutrient digestibilities, or ADG. Elevated concentrations (P <.10) of bl ood-borne enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase , and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase and increased concentrations of cholest erol and triglycerides indicated mild liver damage and kidney dysfunction i n treated goats. Linear relationships (P <.10) were observed between these serum constituents and duration of FB1 exposure. The sphingolipid analysis of liver, kidney, and heart tissues showed elevated free sphinganine:free s phingosine ratios in the treated group. The elevated sphingolipid ratios we re mainly due to increased concentrations of free sphinganine in tissues. H owever, without serum profile and sphingolipid analyses, fumonisin toxicosi s would not have been recognized because treated animals showed no clinical signs Of toxicosis throughout the trial. No measurable FB1 was present in liver, kidney, and heart tissues (detection limit of 1 ppm). However, furth er research is needed to analyze tissues for FB1 or its metabolites with a lower detection limit. In conclusion, goats can be fed for up to 112 d with diets containing 95 mg FB1/kg of diet without any overt signs of toxicosis and also without any effect on live weight gain.