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Mycotoxins in laboratory rodent feed
A Halldén Waldemarson1, P Hedenqvist, A-C Salomonsson
1Veterinary Resources, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. Anne.Waldemarson@admin.ki.se
Laboratory Animals
|May 20, 2005
Summary
Rodent feed from multiple manufacturers contained common mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A, indicating contaminated ingredients. Improved quality control is recommended for laboratory animal feed production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Food Safety
- Toxicology
Background:
- Mycotoxins in animal feed pose risks to laboratory rodents.
- Contaminated feed can lead to toxic or immunosuppressive effects.
- Quality control of rodent feed ingredients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of five key mycotoxins in fixed-formula rodent diets.
- To identify specific mycotoxins and their levels in feed from different manufacturers.
- To evaluate the implications for laboratory animal health and feed production.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 21 rodent diet batches from three manufacturers.
- Testing for deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, and ochratoxin A (OTA).
- Additional testing for zearalenone (ZEN) and aflatoxins in select batches.
Main Results:
- Detectable levels of DON, NIV, OTA, and ZEN were found across all manufacturers.
- Some batches contained multiple mycotoxins (up to three).
- Aflatoxins, T-2, and HT-2 toxins were not detected.
Conclusions:
- Rodent feed ingredients, likely cereals, are contaminated with mycotoxins.
- Low concentrations detected warrant attention due to potential health effects.
- Enhanced quality control of feed ingredients is essential for laboratory rodent diets.