Effects of feeding Bt MON810 maize to sows during first gestation and lactation on maternal and offspring health indicators

Br J Nutr. 2013 Mar 14;109(5):873-81. doi: 10.1017/S0007114512002607. Epub 2012 Jul 4.

Abstract

A total of twenty-four sows and their offspring were used in a 20-week study to investigate the effects of feeding GM maize on maternal and offspring health. Sows were fed diets containing GM or non-GM maize from service to the end of lactation. GM maize-fed sows were heavier on day 56 of gestation (P< 0·05). Offspring from sows fed GM maize tended to be lighter at weaning (P= 0·08). Sows fed GM maize tended to have decreased serum total protein (P= 0·08), and increased serum creatinine (P< 0·05) and γ-glutamyltransferase activity (P= 0·07) on day 28 of lactation. Serum urea tended to be decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows (P= 0·10) and in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). Both platelet count (P= 0·07) and mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC; P= 0·05) were decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows; however, MCHC tended to be increased in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). There was a minimal effect of feeding GM maize to sows during gestation and lactation on maternal and offspring serum biochemistry and haematology at birth and body weight at weaning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn / blood
  • Animals, Newborn / growth & development
  • Animals, Newborn / physiology*
  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Body Composition
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Endotoxins / genetics
  • Erythrocyte Indices
  • Female
  • Gestational Age
  • Health Status
  • Hemolysin Proteins / genetics
  • Lactation*
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Plants, Genetically Modified / adverse effects*
  • Pregnancy
  • Sus scrofa / physiology*
  • Zea mays / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Blood Proteins
  • Endotoxins
  • Hemolysin Proteins
  • insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis
  • Creatinine