This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a feed additive containing
bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast on the intestinal health and growth of newly weaned pigs under chronic dietary exposure to
fumonisin and
aflatoxin. Newly weaned pigs were randomly allotted to one of four possible treatments: a control diet of conventional corn; a diet of corn contaminated with
fumonisin and
aflatoxin; a diet of
mycotoxin-contaminated corn with 0.2% of feed additive; and a diet of
mycotoxin contaminated corn with 0.4% of feed additive. We observed lower average
weight gain and average daily feed intake in pigs that were fed only
mycotoxin-contaminated corn compared to the control group. Feed additive supplementation linearly increased both average
weight gain and feed intake, as well as
tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In the jejunum, there was an observed decrease in
immunoglobulin A and an increase in
claudin-1. Additionally, feed additive supplementation increased the villus height to crypt depth ratio compared to the control. In conclusion, feed additives containing
bentonite and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast could mitigate the detrimental effects of
mycotoxins on the growth performance of newly weaned pigs by improving intestinal integrity and positively modulating immune response.