Select Sires

Mycotoxins Can Affect Reproductive Performance
Transcript of Select Sires' Reproductive Moment Program
on DairyLine Radio, Which Aired Feb. 27, 2003
with Joel Mergler,
vice president of training and and herd management products,
Select Sires Inc.

Today's Reproductive Moment is with Joel Mergler, vice president of training and herd management products at Select Sires. Joel, today you're talking about mycotoxins in feed and how they can affect reproduction.

As we know, any time a cow is stressed, reproduction is always the first thing to suffer. One of the things that's been making reproduction a challenge, and that we're just beginning to understand, is exposure to mycotoxins in the feed.

How are these mycotoxins formed?

Mycotoxins are produced by mold spores that are present in the soil. Mold spores are very opportunistic. They enter the plant through the root, through the silk or through damage to the stalk. The 2002 cropping season was just the kind of season they thrive in. Drought-stressed and drought-damaged crops make it easy for the mold spores to enter the plant and end up in the grain.

Where in the U.S. have these reports been coming from?

We're seeing high levels of aflatoxin as far north as central Illinois. This is highly unusual, as aflatoxin is considered a warm weather toxin, and is more prevalent in our southern states. But 2002 was an unusual cropping season.

Joel, how easy is it for these mycotoxins to be produced? And how debilitating is it for the cow?

Once the mold spores are in the plant and in the grain, all they need is the right moisture and some oxygen, which most feed storage systems provide. The molds can then grow and start to produce the debilitating mycotoxins. Cows exposed to feed with high levels of mycotoxin tend to have compromised immune response due to the bombardment their immune system is under trying to deal with the mycotoxin load. This creates stress on the animal. As mentioned before, reproduction is always the first thing to suffer when a cow is under stress.

What are some of the warning signs?

Signs that mycotoxins may be a problem in your herd are: cows with loose manure; erratic feed intake; reduced feed intake; poor reproductive performance, especially quiet or silent heat; high somatic cell count; poor immune response; rough hair coat; dull eyes or unthrifty appearance; or an unusually high level of morbidity and mortality. If you're seeing any of these signs in your herd, you may want to talk to your veterinarian, your nutritionist, or your local Select Sires representative. You'll probably want to pull some feed samples to see if mycotoxins are present.

Joel, what are the main mycotoxins that we can look for?

The main mycotoxins we look for are aflatoxins, vomitoxin or DON, T-2 and zearalenone. Zearalenone in particular can cause many reproductive problems.

What's the best way for producers to get more information about mycotoxins?

Contact us here at Select Sires, or contact your local Select Sires representative, and we will be happy to give you more information on how mycotoxins could be affecting your herd's reproductive preformance.

Thank you, Joel. That's Joel Mergler, vice president of training and herd management products at Select Sires.

Copyright 1996-2003 Select Sires Inc. Last updated 6-Mar-2003.

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