What typically happens to corn that is contaminated with mycotoxins when fed to sows?

Corn contaminated with mycotoxins can have significant negative effects on the health and reproductive performance of sows. Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds that can infect crops, including corn. When sows consume feed that contains these toxins, it can lead to various health issues.

One of the most concerning effects of mycotoxins is their impact on reproduction. These toxins can interfere with hormonal balance, disrupt ovarian function, and ultimately affect fertility. Sows exposed to contaminated corn may experience issues such as reduced estrus expression and irregular cycles, which can lead to fewer sows becoming pregnant. Therefore, mycotoxin contamination poses a serious threat to successful breeding efforts within a herd.

The other options do not accurately reflect the consequences of mycotoxin contamination. While one might think increased nutrient absorption or enhanced reproductive performance might be possible outcomes, mycotoxins do the opposite by hindering the health and reproductive capabilities of the sows. Similarly, rather than improving the feed conversion ratio, contamination typically leads to poorer feed utilization due to decreased health and vitality of the animals consuming the tainted feed.