Phytoestrogen content and estrogenic effect of legume fodder.

This study is a summary of Finnish investigations of the phytoestrogen content of legume plants, red clover, white clover, alfalfa, and goat's rue. In addition to the chemical analyses, biological studies were performed. Uterine weight of immature rats was used as an indicator of the estrogenic effect of the fodder used.

Effect of germination on vomitoxin level in grain.

The present investigation clarified the effect of enzymes or other substances formed during the germination process on the vomitoxin level of contaminated oats. The studies found that oats containing vomitoxin germinated very poorly; the decrease in toxins was also slight. The amount of pure vomitoxin added to toxin-free grain decreased (barley 53%, oats 40%, wheat 20%) during germination (5 d).

Vomitoxin and amino acid supplements in rat feed.

In Finland grain has during some years contained considerable amounts of mycotoxins depending on the weather conditions, harvesting and preservation methods. The most common of these mycotoxins are Fusariumtoxins: zearalenone and trichotechenes. The trichotechene group is large, but only a few of the toxins are of practical interest in that they cause health disorders to farm animals.

Variations in the content of plant oestrogens in red clover-timothy-grass during the growing season.

The investigation concerned variations in the plant oestrogen content of red clover-timothy swards receiving the same basic fertilization, but with different plant compositions and levels of nitrogen fertilizing. The oestrogen content of pure red clover was high in the early spring and declining by midsummer. The oestrogen content in aftermath remained high and compared to the age of the growth was greater than that of the spring crop.

The oestrogenic Fusarium toxin (zearalenone) in hay as a cause of early abortions in the cow.

In this study, the occurrence of a series of early abortions in a herd of cattle kept at an experimental station in North Savo has been described, the cause of which has evidently been hay feed in which the toxin zearalenone had formed. Several early abortions occurred in this particular herd 30-90 days after artificial insemination had been performed. It was proved by means of a liquid chromatograph test that the hay contained 10 ppm zearalenone, and a biological experiment with rats gave a clear indication of its oestrogenic strength by means of the chloroform extract obtained with the hay.

Plant oestrogens; the cause of decreased fertility in cows. A case report.

During the stall feeding period 1982-1983, it was established that serious fertility disturbances, indicating oestrogenic stimulation, had occurred in a herd of cattle in an area supported by the College of Veterinary Medicine's ambulatory clinic. Whilst investigating the cause of these disturbances it was proven that the silage administered during this period was prepared almost entirely from pure red clover aftergrowth. The oestrogenic isoflavone content of the silage (liquid chromatograph examination) and the oestrogenic strength (bioassay) were considerably great.

The effects of rumen fluid on the content of zearalenone in animal fodder.

The object of the study was to clarify whether rumination has a bearing on the decomposition of zearalenone in the metabolism of the toxin or not. The experiment was performed using rumen fluid in vitro. Rumen fluid samples containing various amounts of zearalenone were incubated in a carbon dioxide atmosphere at 38 degrees C for two days.

The effects of "Gasol" grain preservative dosages on the growth of Fusarium graminearum and the quantity of the toxin zearalenone.

In earlier experiments regarding the effects of preservative "Gasol" (containing various acids and additional compounds and intended for whole grain preservations) in recommended dosages, prevents the growth of Fusarium graminearum and reduces the amount of zearalenone when added to milled grain. It was proved in the tests carried out that the smaller dosages of "Gasol" were sufficient for the prevention of growth of the fungus and reduction in quantity of zearalenone. The degree to which the toxin was destroyed depended on the dosage of the preservation.

Decomposition of the Fusarium graminearum toxin zearalenone in storage conditions.

The studies illustrate the effects of preservatives - "Luprosil" (propionic acid) and "Gasol" (contains organic acids and some additional compounds) on the growth of Fusarium graminearum and the quality of zearalenone in contaminated grain. The laboratory conditions resembled, concerning the supply of oxygen, the circumstances in the surface layers of preserved grain mass. The mycelium growth of the fungus Fusarium graminearum was visually observed.

The effect of grain preservatives on the growth of the fungus Fusarium graminearum and on the quantity of zearalenone.

In the present study, the effects of preservatives, “Luprosil” (propionic acid) and “Gasol” (contains organic acids and some additional compounds) on the growth of mycelium and the toxin content of stored grain (oats) infected by Fusarium and containing zearalenone have been examined. The toxin quantity was determined before adding the preservatives quantitatively (by liquid chromatography) from the ether extracts of oats cultures and semiquantitatively (by bioassay) from the solid residues of the extracted grain cultures. The total amount of toxin in the contaminated grain was proved to be 2.

The estrogenic effect of silage fodder.

The changes in the amounts of estrogens and in the estrogenic effects were compared with the changes occurring in the quality of silage fodders, which were prepared by three different methods (without any additives, by green-solution method, and with molasses) from the 1977 aftermath, composed of 50% of different kinds of grasses and 50% of red clover. The estrogenic isoflavones known (formononetin, biochanin-A, genistein and daidzein) were analysed quantitatively by liquid chromatography, the estrogenic effect by bioassay using female rats aged 21-22 days as test animals the criteria being the uterine weight, the vaginal opening, and the uterine liquid quantity. Other characteristics of the fodders were determined by 21 laboratory determinations or perceptible estimates.

Variation of F-2 toxin production on different substrates.

The F-2 producing capacity of one Fusarium graminearum strain (strain No. 13) and of three hyphal tip transverse lines (a b and c) isolated from the original strain and of a mixture of these lines (a b and c) was studied in two successive years on different substrates: oats, barley, wheat, grain mixture and wheat bran. In the first year the original strain produced high amounts of F-2 but was heterogenous in toxin production.

Combined action of plant estrogens, F-2 toxin and natural estrogens.

The investigation concerns the interaction of plant estrogens, F-2 toxin, and natural estrogen (estradiol-benzoate) as causative factors of eostrogenic changes. Plant estrogens and F-2 toxin were applicated at three and estradiol-benzoate at two dosage levels. The estrogenic effect was studied by bioassay on immature rats taking uterine weight, uterine liquid and vaginal opening as criteria.

Hematological and blood chemical data of pigs fed various amounts of mink manure.

The effect of feeding mink manure to pigs and the utilization of its protein and mineral content was studied by blood analyses. Individual variation was large, and the differences between groups were small. Growth of the animals had a significant effect on the levels of several blood components.

Dehydrated mink manure as a protein source for growing pigs.

The use of dehydrated mink manure as a protein source for growing pigs was studied by substituting 7.5 and 15 % (w/w) of the complete feed with manure and a corresponding amount of barley. The manure used had a poor feed value as compared to the values obtained earlier in digestibility tests in minks.

The effect of storage on the estrogenic effect of red clover silage.

Pure red clover was selected for plant estrogen analyses from the fresh fodder crops of 1972 and 1973. The investigations were made on fresh red clover and on the same red clover after periods of storage of varying length. The red clover was stored in manilla bags in a silo among the ordinary silge fodder, use being of the "green solution method" (Farmos Oy).