Effects of aflatoxin on the growth performance and immune responses of weanling swine

Aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated ground corn was mixed with a commercial swine ration to yield 2 concentrations (500 mg of AFB1/kg of feed [A] and 300 mg of AFB1/kg [B]) and was fed to 2 groups of pigs. Groups A and B were fed the AF-containing ration, whereas control group C was fed the same commercial ration mixed with ground corn devoid of AF. A comparative analysis of the average weight gain per pig in each of the treatment groups, compared with that in the control group, indicated a significantly (P less than 0.01) greater weight gain in the control group. The average feed conversion rate was also significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in group A pigs, compared with that in the control group. The humoral immune response to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, did not reveal a significant difference among groups; there were no consistent differences observed in the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to mitogens. In contrast, a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in complement titers was observed, whereas an increase in serum immunoglobulin G and M values occurred in the AF-treated group A, compared with that in group C. Gross enlargement of the liver, substantiated by histologic evidence of toxic damage to the hepatic parenchyma, revealed that AF at concentrations of 500 mg/kg of feed was toxigenic and produced an adverse effect on the growth rate, feed efficiency, and general well-being of young pigs.