Author
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Huwe, Janice |
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Submitted to: Organohalogen Compounds
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/2006 Publication Date: 8/18/2006 Citation: Huwe, J.K. Uptake of dioxin-like compounds in growing swine: correlation between experimental and predicted data. Organohalogen Compounds 68. Interpretive Summary: In March of 2002, dioxin-contaminated mineral supplements used in swine feed preparation were discovered during routine screening and subsequently removed from the market. At the time no scientific data were available to predict what the dioxins levels would be in hogs that had eaten the contaminated feed. In order to provide better information to make such an assessment, we have conducted an experiment to measure the uptake of dioxins from feed into swine and to compare the results with a mathematical model to predict the concentration of dioxin-like compounds in growing swine. After updating the model with new swine growth formulae and estimating uptake and elimination parameters for dioxins from studies in dairy and beef cattle, prediction curves that closely fit the experimental data were obtained. The strong correlation between the experimental data and the calculated data suggests that the relatively simple mathematical model could be a useful tool to rapidly estimate and assess contaminations in animal food products should contaminated feeds or feed ingredients be discovered in the future. Technical Abstract: Experimental data on the accumulation of dioxins from feed into the back fat of swine were compared to calculated data from a mathematical model developed to predict the concentration of dioxin-like compounds in growing swine. The experimental data were acquired in a feeding study in which 14 gilts were continuously fed a dioxin-contaminated mineral supplement in their diet beginning shortly after weaning. Dioxins were measured in the back fat of the animals at various times after feeding started. The equations for body weight and carcass fat weight were updated in the prediction model using actual weights from the experimental animals. The absorption coefficients and elimination rates for dioxin congeners in swine were estimated from reported values in dairy and beef cattle. By optimizing these estimates, model prediction curves that closely fit the experimental data were obtained (correlation coefficients > 0.92) showing the validity of the mathematical model. Such prediction tools can be useful to rapidly estimate and assess contaminations in animal food products should contaminated feeds or feed ingredients be discovered in the future. |
