Field observations in pigs exposed to fumonisin B1 contaminated feed.

Fourteen pigs, fed during the last 5 mo of rearing on fumonisin B1 naturally contaminated feed, were evaluated for hematological and biochemical effects. After slaughtering of the animals, the liver and 1 kidney underwent histopathological examination; the other kidney was tested by HPLC for fumonisin B1 residues. With feed contamination of 2 and 22 mg fumonisin B1/kg, the calculated daily intake of fumonisin B1 was approximately 50 microg/kg bw before the first blood sampling and approximately 500 microg/kg bw before the second blood sampling and slaughter. No hematological changes were observed, while moderate adverse effects on liver function (ALT and cholesterol) and hepatocyte integritywere found. No histopathological alterations nor fumonisin residues were detected (LOD 5 microg/kg) in the kidneys. The levels of contamination had slight but observed effects on swine health. The lack of fumonisin B1 carry-over to edible swine tissues was confirmed and under the studied conditions, no consumer risk from the pork products was expected.