Effects of Feedborne Fusarium Mycotoxins on the Performance, Metabolism, and Immunity of Dairy Cows

Little is known about the effects of feedborne Fusarium mycotoxins on the performance, metabolism, and immunity of dairy cattle. A total mixed ration (TMR) containing a blend of feedstuffs naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins was fed for 56 d to 18 midlactation Holstein cows (average milk production, 33 kg/d) in a completely randomized design with repeated measures that included 3 treatments: 1) a control diet, 2) a contaminated diet, and 3) a contaminated diet + 0.2% polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GMA). Wheat, corn, and hay were the contaminated feedstuffs used in the study. Deoxynivalenol was the major contaminant and was found in the TMR at levels of up to 3.6 μg/g of dry matter. Body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake, net energy balance, milk production, milk composition, somatic cell count, blood serum chemistry, hematology, serum Ig concentrations, and coagulation profile were measured. Dry matter intake and body weight, as well as milk production, milk composition, and SCC, were not affected by diet. Total serum protein and globulin levels increased significantly in cows fed the contaminated TMR compared with cows fed the control diet at 42 d, whereas the albumin:globulin ratio decreased. Serum urea concentrations were significantly elevated throughout the experiment in cows fed the contaminated diet compared with those fed the control diet. Serum IgA concentrations decreased significantly in cows fed the contaminated TMR at 36 d of feeding. Feeding GMA prevented these effects. Serum sodium concentration and osmolality levels were increased throughout the experiment in all cows fed the contaminated diets. We concluded that feed naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins can affect the metabolic parameters and immunity of dairy cows and that GMA can prevent some of these effects.