Short-term dietary deoxynivalenol exposure negatively affects performance, intestinal and reproductive functions in laying hens.

The detrimental effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on broiler chickens are well documented; however, studies on laying hens fed diets naturally contaminated with this mycotoxin remain limited. To evaluate the impact of short-term DON exposure, 600 56-week-old Dekalb White laying hens were fed either a marginally contaminated control diet (CON) or a diet containing 2.45 mg/kg DON for 16 weeks. Production performance was impaired by DON as early as 8 weeks of exposure. Although no changes were observed in the physical characteristics of the eggshells, mRNA expression analyses revealed disruptions in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Despite similar egg production between treatments, DON exposure led to degeneration of primordial, primary, and large white follicles. Metabolomic analysis of the excreta indicated altered lipid metabolism, suggestive of intestinal inflammation, along with increased hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels. In conclusion, short-term exposure to DON negatively affects intestinal function, reproductive health, and feed efficiency in laying hens.