Effects of the Fusarium toxins deoxynivalenol and zearalenone on the fertility of sows

Nine gilts with an initial body weight (BW) of 80 kg were fed a diet contaminated with 2 mg/kg deoxynivalenol (DON) and 0.4 mg/kg zearalenone . Their daily weight gain until 100 kg BW was reduced in comparison to the nine control animals fed the uncontaminated diet. The mycotoxins neither influenced the age at the first observed oestrus nor the fertility of the gilts. Multiparous sows received a diet contaminated with 3 mg/kg DON during one lactation period. In comparison to the uncontaminated diet fed to the control animals, more contaminated feed was refused, but the daily intake of 18 mg DON affected neither the weight loss of the sows nor the growth rate of the suckled piglets. Neither the weaning to oestrus interval nor the fertility in the following reproductive cycle was affected by DON.