Experimental equine leukoencephalomalacia, toxic hepatosis, and encephalopathy caused by corn naturally contaminated with fumonisins.
A study to evaluate the effects of dietary fumonisin B1 was conducted using 6 ponies (4 test and 2 control). A ration naturally contaminated with fumonisin B1 was fed in 3 phases: 1) 44 ppm fumonisin B1, 2) less than 1 ppm fumonisin B1, and 3) 88 ppm fumonisin B1. All ponies were monitored daily, weighed weekly, and limit fed at a rate of 0.8% body weight plus hay. Feed intake was measured daily, and a serum chemistry panel was completed once or twice weekly. Four to 7 days after initiation of the trial (Phase 1), all 4 test ponies had decreased feed consumption, and selected serum chemistry parameters were markedly elevated. On day 9, 1 pony died acutely with mild encephalopathy and hepatic necrosis. Another pony, euthanized on day 45, also had mild encephalopathy and hepatic necrosis. The remaining 2 test ponies continued the 44 ppm fumonisin B1 diet for 98 days. Phase 2 consisted of a diet with < 1 ppm fumonisin B1 for 120 days. During this phase, the serum chemistry values of the 2 ponies returned to normal. Following Phase 2, the 2 ponies were fed a diet containing 88 ppm fumonisin B1. After 75 days, 1 animal died of equine leukoencephalomalacia with mild hepatic necrosis. On day 78, the remaining pony was euthanized after showing distress; it also had leukoencephalomalacia and hepatic lesions.
Ross
P F
PF
US Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Ames, IA 50010.
Ledet
A E
AE
Owens
D L
DL
Rice
L G
LG
Nelson
H A
HA
Osweiler
G D
GD
Wilson
T M
TM
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000633:toxicity; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004678:Encephalomalacia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005506:Food Contamination; D037341:Fumonisins; D006736:Horses; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D009336:Necrosis; D003313:Zea mays
D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D037341:Fumonisins; D009183:Mycotoxins; C056933:fumonisin B1