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Mycotoxin syndrome in dairy cattle: characterisation and intervention results

In: World Mycotoxin Journal
Authors:
R.R. Santos Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands

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J. Fink-Gremmels Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands

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In daily practice, dairy cattle may be exposed to complex mixtures of mycotoxins originating from pre- and postharvest contamination of roughages, silage and concentrates. In particular silage has been identified as a source of different microbial toxins, which may impair animal health and productivity. The aim of the current study was to identify functional and descriptive biomarkers for the mouldy silage syndrome in dairy cattle. Such biomarkers should also serve as indicators of the beneficial effects of intervention strategies. In a field trial, a total of 87 cows from three different farms were enrolled in the study. From these animals blood samples were collected at three different time points and subjected to multiple biochemical analyses. Within this group, fine needle liver biopsies were obtained from 43 animals and subjected to biochemical analyses and targeted gene expression profiles. The measured parameters represent biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, gluconeogenesis and lipids. In the affected animals, oxidative stress and a dysfunction in lipid metabolism were observed, marked by significantly decreased levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) concentrations and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and significantly increased concentrations of free cholesterol in plasma, together with a decreased activity of phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). When a glucomannan mycotoxin absorbent was added to the daily ration for a period of 8 weeks most of these biochemical markers gradually improved to normal levels, and body condition and milk yield improved. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiological changes associated with multiple mycotoxin exposure in dairy cows and allow a refined assessment of intervention strategies under field conditions.

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