Mycotoxicoses in mink: a review

摘要

Fungi, or molds, are usually not perceived to be a major problem in mink production. However, mink feed ingredients consisting of grains and certain other feedstuffs can serve as hosts for fungi (molds) that can produce potentially toxic substancescalled mycotoxins (Figure 1). Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by fungi that grow on suitable substrates during favorable environmental conditions. They can be synthesized by fungi that infect plants in the field, as well as plant products and other feedstuffs during processing and/or storage. Mycotoxins occur throughout the world and over 300 have been identified (Betina, 1989). Most are stable compounds that can withstand cooking and other processing procedures. Although not all fungi andmycotoxins are of concern to livestock producers, several are important because of the economic impacts they can have on animal agriculture. The toxigenic fungi most commonly isolated from feedstuffs in the U.S. that are of interest to livestock producers include members of the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillum, and Claviceps. Some of the more deleterious mycotoxins produced by these fungi are aftatoxins, deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin), ergot alkaloids, ochratoxin, zearalenone, T_2 toxin, fumonisins, and moniliformin.