When assessing mycotoxin risk, we often focus on individual toxins: DON, fumonisins, zearalenone, aflatoxins or ochratoxin A. Yet, under field conditions, animals are rarely exposed to just one mycotoxin. Co-exposure to several mycotoxins is increasingly recognised as the norm rather than the exception. Global surveys consistently report mixtures in feed, with DON, ZEN, AFB₁, fumonisins and OTA among the toxins frequently detected together.
Why does this matter? Because the toxicity of a mixture cannot always be predicted by simply considering each mycotoxin separately. Depending on the combination, interactions may be additive or even synergistic, meaning that the biological impact can exceed that expected from individual exposures.
At the cellular level, several mycotoxins can converge on common mechanisms. Combined exposure may intensify oxidative stress, disrupting the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defences. This can contribute to cellular and tissue damage and affect key organs such as the liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
The consequences extend well beyond organ toxicity. Multi-mycotoxin exposure can impair immune competence, potentially increasing susceptibility to disease, while some combinations can interfere with reproductive function. Ultimately, these effects translate into what matters most in the field: reduced feed intake and growth, poorer feed efficiency, impaired reproductive performance, decreased milk or egg production and, in severe situations, increased mortality.
The key message is therefore clear: mycotoxin risk should be considered as a combined exposure issue, not simply as a collection of individual contaminants. Assessing the complete contamination profile of feed is essential to better anticipate the actual biological and performance risk faced by animals.
Reference: Akinmoladun O.F. et al., 2025. Multiple Mycotoxin Contamination in Livestock Feed: Implications for Animal Health, Productivity, and Food Safety. Toxins 17, 365.
