Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin produced by fungi in the genus Fusarium. Fusarium species commonly occur in cereal crops such as corn, wheat, barley, and rice which are used in swine feed. In addition to cereals, co-products of ethanol distillation, brewing, and baking are frequently re-purposed as swine feed. ZEN contamination has been related to severe reproductive issues including pelvic organ prolapse (POP), which describes the displacement of pelvic floor organs from their healthy anatomical positions. A recent rise in the rate of POP in sows highlights a need for more information surrounding the occurrence of ZEN in swine feed and the possible role of ZEN in POP. This research aims to understand the relationship between ZEN contamination in swine feed and swine reproductive health. The primary objectives of this work are to (1) characterize the stress relaxation behavior of vaginal tissue in the swine model, (2) determine how ZEN consumption effects the elasticity of pelvic support tissue. (3) determine where ZEN and a related metabolite accumulate in the swine reproductive tract, (4) evaluate the prevalence of ZEN and related Fusarium mycotoxins in swine feed and ingredients, and (5) track ZEN and related Fusarium mycotoxins throughout production of beer and brewers' spent grains (BSG). Results from this work can help stakeholders to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in swine feed, evaluate swine for ZEN toxicosis, and provide care for animals experiencing POP. / Doctor of Philosophy / Under certain conditions, some fungi produce harmful toxins (mycotoxins) that can compromise the health of humans and animals. Mycotoxin-producing fungi are common in cereal crops such as corn, wheat, and barley which may be fed to humans or animals. Swine are especially sensitive to mycotoxins, making feed composition important for animal welfare and profitability. Zearalenone (ZEN) is a mycotoxin that behaves like estrogen, a hormone frequently associated with female reproductive health. Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a condition, common in women, wherein organs in the pelvic floor such as the vagina, rectum, and uterus, descend from their healthy anatomical position. Swine herds are experiencing higher rates of POP, which may be related to ZEN contamination in feed. The overall goal of this research is to understand the relationship between mycotoxin contamination in feed and swine reproductive health. The specific objectives of this research are to (1) characterize the mechanical properties of vaginal tissue in swine, (2) characterize mechanical properties of pelvic support tissue associated with POP, in swine fed ZEN, (3) determine which reproductive tissues which accumulate ZEN in swine, (4) evaluate the prevalence of ZEN and related mycotoxins in swine feed, and (5) track ZEN and related mycotoxins throughout production of beer and brewers' spent grain, a co-product used in animal feed. This research can help animal producers develop strategies to mitigate mycotoxin contamination in feed and improve veterinary care.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/112111 |
| Date | 15 April 2021 |
| Creators | Pack, Erica Danielle |
| Contributors | Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Schmale, David G. III, De Vita, Raffaella, Knight, James W., Collakova, Eva, Clark-Deener, Sherrie, Rhoads, Michelle |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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