Mycotoxins in pig feeds - 2: clinical aspects

Mycotoxins affect up to 25 per cent of the world's food crops. As well as c ausing significant economic Losses to animal agriculture, some mycotoxins a re carcinogens and/or teratogens that may be transmitted to the human popul ation in meat or milk. In general, they are produced by three genera of mou lds: Aspergillus. Penicillium and Fusarium, The clinical response to mycoto xins is dependent on the concentration in feed, on the duration of feeding, on the presence or absence of other mycotoxins, and on the species, age, a nd health status of animal to which the mycotoxin is fed. The clinical resp onse can vary from acute to chronic. Vomitoxin causes pigs to refuse feed, zearalenone affects the reproductive organs, ochratoxin causes kidney damag e and aflatoxins increase susceptibility to disease through their action as immunosuppressants. Aflatoxins can also cause haemorrhages and digestive d isorders.