Comparison of two hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate compounds to experimentally protect growing barrows from aflatoxicosis.

Two formulations of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS-1 and HSCAS-3), anti-caking agents for mixed feed, were added to the diets of growing barrows and were evaluated for their potential to diminish the clinical signs of aflatoxicosis. The experimental design consisted of 8 barrows (2 replicates of 4 each/treatment) assigned to 1 of the following 6 treatment diets (total of 48): 1) 0 g of HSCAS-1 or HSCAS-3 and 0 mg of aflatoxin (AF)/kg of feed (control); 2) 5 g HSCAS-1/kg of feed; 3) 5 g HSCAS-3/kg of feed; 4) 3 mg AF/kg of feed; 5) 3 mg AF plus 5 g HSCAS-1/kg of feed; or 6) 3 mg AF plus 5 g HSCAS-3/kg of feed. Barrows were maintained in indoor concrete-floored pens, with feed and water available for 28 days (from 8 to 12 weeks of age). Barrows were observed twice daily and weighed weekly, and blood samples were collected at day 28 for hematologic, immunologic, and serum biochemical measurements. At the termination of the study, barrows were euthanized and necropsied. Barrow body weight gains were diminished, compared to those of controls, by consumption of AF alone and both of the AF plus HSCAS diets; however, the AF plus HSCAS-1 and AF plus HSCAS-3 barrow body weight gains were significantly greater (P < 0.05) than those of the AF-alone barrows.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)