Aflatoxins

They are produced by Aspergillus fungi. The pigs exposed to low concentrations during long periods of time will suffer subacute effects that may appear 4 to 6 weeks since the first contact. Aflatoxins are depressors of the immune system, decrease the feed intake, are hepatotoxic and produce nefrosis, systemic haemorrhage and death. Although they do not have a direct effect on the reproductive tract, they can cause abortions and agalactia. They can also affect the immune system of piglets and their growth rate, passing through the placental barrier and also by the sow milk.

Zearalenone

It is also called F2 and it is produced by Fusarium fungi. Zearalenone does not produce acute toxicity like other mycotoxins but it has a strong estrogenic effect, causing oedema and reddening of the vulva, growth of the mammary glands, infertility, ovarian atrophy, anoestrus, pseudo-pregnancy caused by persistent corpus luteum, embryo-mortality, abortion, decrease of litter size, weak piglets with splay leg and vaginal and rectal prolapse.

In young boars it produces oedema in prepuce, enlargement of teats, testicular atrophy, depression of libido and hair loss. It also affects semen quality and reduces semen production. Adult boars need more concentration of Zearalenone to be affected.