ABSTRACT
In an experiment to determine the effects of feed-borne fusarium mycotoxins on metabolism and reproduction in first parity gilts, a total of 36 first parity Yorkshire gilts (3 diets with 12 gilts per diet) were housed in individual stalls for 21 days before farrowing and 21 days after farrowing in the first experiment and a total of 32 first parity gilts (4 diets with 8 gilts per diet) were used in the 2nd experiment. Experimental conditions were similar in the 2 experiments. Diets included a control diet, a diet with contaminated grains and a diet with contaminated grains + 0.2% mycotoxin binder in the 1st experiment. In the 2nd experiment a 4th diet was included. There were no significant (P>0.05) effects of diet on average daily feed intake of gilts during gestation. Weight gain and feed: gain ratios however were reduced by contaminated grains. The percentage of stillbirths was higher and total piglets born were lower for gilts fed contaminated grains compared with those fed contaminated grains plus mycotoxin binders. During lactation, feed intake and weight gain were reduced by diets containing contaminated grains. Blood chemistry, milk composition and piglet weights at weaning were not affected by diet.