Deoxynivalenol in pigs: An exclusive effect on the appetite?

A feeding-trial was conducted to determine the effects of a deoxynivalenol (DON)-contaminated diet in growing pigs. DON was added as either the purified toxin or as naturally contaminated wheat. Growth performance, biochemical and hematological parameters and DON-transformation through intestinal bacteria were monitored throughout the study. Epithelial tissues along the gastro-intestinal tract were also examined for pathological changes and selected enzyme activities (oxoglutarat dehydrogenase, alanine-amino-transferase). There were no differences among the dietary treatments in all parameters measured except for feed intake and weight gain in the naturally contaminated diets fed ad libitum. Effectsin vivo could not be explained exclusively by cytotoxicity of DON foundin vitro. These observations may reflect the presence of other unidentified (toxic) compounds in the naturally contaminated grain or the influence of further factors. In future studies synergistic/additive interactions with substances promoting appetite should be taken into consideration.