The impact of Fusarium mycotoxins on macro and micro parameters of dairy cattle

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact on macro and micro parameters of dairy cattle when cows consumed total mixed ration (TMR) contaminated with (zearalenone) ZEA and deoxynivalenol (DON) for 60 days. Macro indicators included milk composition and production and micro parameters included blood components, rumen volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and ZEA and DON concentrations in rumen fluid and milk. Twenty dairy cows were fed TMR with naturally contaminated mycotoxins (ZEA 300 - 500 μg/kg; DON 102 - 200 μg/kg). The trial lasted for 60 days. Samples of blood, rumen fluid, and milk were taken three times at intervals of 30 days. The obtained results showed that the combination of ZEA and DON affected liver and kidney enzymes (p < 0.05) because, in 60 days, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased by 25%, albumin (ALB) decreased by 8.7%, creatinine (CREA) decreased by 40%. Rumen ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) statistically significantly increased (43%), whereas acetate acid decreased (2.7%). In 60 days, the combination of mycotoxins ZEA and DON statistically significantly reduced the milk yield (20.8%), fats (11.8 %), and proteins (3.5%). After 60 days ZEA in rumen fluid increased (28.6%), DON increased (30%) (p > 0.05). In milk samples, ZEA concentration increased from 0.97 μg/L (0th day) to 1.43 μg/L (on the 60th day). Based on the obtained results, it was determined that combination of Fusarium mycotoxins occurring in the fodder produced under Lithuanian climatic conditions significantly affected some macro and micro indicators.