Transmission of T-2 Toxin into Bovine and Porcine Milk

Abstract

A pregnant Holstein cow (third trimester) was intubated with 182 mg of T-2 for 15 consecutive days. This amount of toxin corresponds to a concentration in the feed of 50 ppm (from consumption of 3.6 kg grain-type ration/day). Milk samples (ca. 1 liter) were taken on the 2nd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 10th, and 12th day of T-2 intubation and were analyzed specifically for T-2 toxin by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. All samples except those collected on the 4th and 8th days of intubation contained T-2 toxin in concentrations ranging from 10 to 160 ppb (10 to 160 ng/g of milk).