2007 Volume 60 Issue 6 Pages 425-429
AflatoxinB1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) present in six crops used as feed at three dairies (A-, B-and C-farms) with low productivity were investigated. The AFB1 concentration of forage was 30.7ppb (A-farm) and 37.8ppb (B-farm). Both farms were experiencing a high mortality risk, including sudden death. At C-farm, which was experiencing low fertility and many transient cow diseases with abortion, the ZEN concentration of rice straw was 491.6ppb. After the addition of mycotoxin binder in feed, the presence of T-cells in particular has significantly increased in the lymphocytes subpopulation, and no sudden death has occurred at A-farm or B-farm. At C-farm, reproduction has remarkably improved, and no transient cow disease has occurred. It is therefore concluded that mycotoxin contamination in crops has a strong correlation with the incidence of disease in dairy cows, and also that mycotoxin binder can be expected to reduce its harmful influences in the field.
