ANTI-NUTRIENT FACTORS IN ANIMAL FEEDS

Aflatoxin

A mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus (detectable under black light) that acts as a potent carcinogen, inducing severe liver damage, reduced growth, and diarrhea.

Fumonisins

Mycotoxins found in corn that induce equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELM), characterized by fatal cerebellar degeneration in horses.

Zearalenone

A corn-associated mold toxin causing estrogenic effects, marked by swelling of external genitalia and mammary glands as well as prolapse, particularly in swine.

Vomitoxin and T-2 toxin

Grain mycotoxins that trigger feed refusal and emesis in swine, along with esophageal lesions in poultry.

Citrinin and ochratoxin

Mycotoxins known primarily for causing pathological kidney lesions in livestock.

Tannins

Polyphenolic compounds found in high concentrations in bird-resistant sorghum that inhibit digestive enzymes and bind dietary protein into indigestible complexes.

Ergot (Claviceps)

A fungal growth forming black-purple bodies on rye and triticale that causes peripheral gangrene, convulsions, abortion, and agalactia at dietary levels as low as $0.1\%$.

Trypsin (protease) inhibitors

Anti-nutritional factors present in raw soybeans and triticale that bind proteolytic enzymes, suppressing protein digestion and causing pancreatic enlargement.

Gossypol

A toxic polyphenolic compound in cottonseed meal that binds iron to produce olive-green egg yolks, while causing cardiac failure, pulmonary edema, and male infertility.

Sinapine

An anti-nutritional compound present in canola meal that causes laying hens to produce fishy-flavored eggs.