Unlocking the power of meta-analysis for livestock producers

In the latest episode of “Mycotoxin Matters,” host Martin Minchin, commercial marketing director at Alltech, is joined by Dr. Alexandra Weaver and Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard to delve into some comprehensive meta-analyses conducted by Alltech’s research teams. These analyses focus on the effects of mycotoxins on monogastric animals like pigs and poultry.

Here are the key takeaways from the discussion:

Overview of meta-analyses

Meta-analysis, a statistical method that combines results from multiple studies, has become a vital tool in Alltech’s research. A key benefit of meta-analysis is the ability to simplify complex research, making it easier to make informed decisions based on a thorough review of existing evidence.

Dr. Alexandra Weaver, global technical support at Alltech, highlighted the benefits of meta-analysis: "Meta-analysis allows you to bring all of the different research within a category together and get one overall conclusion."

“It also simplifies research by summarizing many studies into one comprehensive paper, making it easier for readers to interpret and for producers to address issues like mycotoxins more effectively,” added Dr. Jules Taylor-Pickard, technical director, technology group at Alltech.

By gathering data from numerous individual studies, Alltech’s mycotoxin meta-analyses have provided robust insights into the overall impact of mycotoxins and the efficacy of mitigation strategies.

Impact of mycotoxins on animal performance

Mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by certain types of fungi, pose a significant threat to livestock health and performance. These toxins can contaminate feed, leading to a range of adverse effects on animals, including reduced growth rates, decreased reproductive performance, weakened immune systems, and even mortality. For monogastric animals like pigs and poultry, the presence of mycotoxins in their diet can result in notable declines in productivity, such as reduced egg production and weight in laying hens and impaired growth in broilers and pigs. Addressing mycotoxin contamination through effective mitigation strategies is crucial for maintaining livestock health and farm profitability.

Key mycotoxins affecting monogastric animals include mycotoxins such as aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes and zearalenone, each bringing a unique set of challenges:

• Aflatoxins can cause liver damage and suppress immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to diseases.
• Fumonisins are known to impair organ function and reduce growth rates.
• Trichothecenes, such as deoxynivalenol (DON), inhibit protein synthesis, causing feed refusal and gastrointestinal issues.
• Zearalenone mimics estrogen, leading to reproductive disorders and reduced fertility in animals.

Understanding these impacts and risk factors — including how various combinations of mycotoxins may cause damage that they would not cause individually — is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies to protect animal health and the productivity of any livestock production.

In this podcast, Dr. Weaver and Dr. Taylor-Pickard highlight how mycotoxins negatively affect animal performance and discuss what strategies may be helpful in combating the problem. For example, in the meta-analysis carried out by Alltech, in a group of laying hens under a mycotoxin challenge, the mycotoxins were found to reduce egg production by 6.3 percentage points and decrease egg weight by 1.95 grams. However, the administration of yeast cell wall extract (YCWE) to another group under a mycotoxin challenge significantly mitigated these effects, improving egg production by 4.24 percentage points and increasing egg weight by 1.37 grams.

Broader research findings

Alltech’s meta-analysis research extends beyond laying hens to include broilers and pigs. Key findings include:

• Broilers: Mycotoxins potentially increase the carbon footprint of production. Using YCWE improved feed efficiency and reduced mortality, thus lowering the carbon footprint.
• Pigs: Even mycotoxin levels below regulatory guidelines negatively impacted performance, notably average daily gain. Utilizing YCWE significantly improved growth metrics.

Translating research to practical applications

Dr. Taylor-Pickard emphasizes the importance of translating scientific findings into practical solutions for livestock producers. Meta-analyses make it easier to understand complex data and apply it effectively on farms, enhancing both animal welfare and farm profitability. For instance, the application of meta-analysis results has been shown to provide an ROI of 4.7 to 1 in laying hens.

Future directions in research

The podcast episode also explores future research directions, particularly in the increasingly important area of sustainability. Alltech’s commitment to using advanced techniques like nutrigenomics allows for deeper insights into how nutritional interventions can improve animal health and productivity while addressing consumer concerns and regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

Alltech’s extensive meta-analyses underscore the significant impact of mycotoxins on livestock and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies like YCWE. These insights not only enhance our understanding of mycotoxins but also provide actionable strategies to improve livestock production and sustainability. As research continues, Alltech remains at the forefront, integrating advanced scientific methods to address the evolving challenges in livestock production.

🎧Listen to the Mycotoxin Matters podcast episode here.

About the author:

Chloe Chisholm is the content manager for the Technology Group at Alltech. In this role, she is responsible for planning and delivering compelling content for all technologies and services in collaboration with the Technology Group marketing leads and wider Alltech creative team. Chloe has been with Alltech since 2022, previously supporting the Mycotoxin Management team as a digital marketing specialist. Chloe holds a degree in English language and literature from Brighton University and is based in Stamford, U.K.