EFFECTS OF ORGANOHALOGENATED XENOBIOTICS ON GUT MICROBIOTA, OXIDATIVE REDOX, AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS IN PIGS – A REVIEW

Organohalogenated compounds contaminations in feed ingredients and feeds pose threats to the safety of food animals, and public health. Pigs are exposed through ingestions of feed contaminated with organohalogenated compounds. Microbesorganohalogens interactions in the gut cause changes in mean species diversities of bacteria, and induce gut dysbiosis. Along with metabolites from first-pass metabolisms, they affect proteins and molecular pathways that regulate ROS sensing, and induce oxidative stress. They also bind to estrogen receptors and mimic estrogen activities to impair reproductive endocrine functions. Nutritional interventions such as feed and feed ingredients substitutions, and harnessing non-conventional feed resources (NCFR) can offer sustainable alleviations. This will mitigate the risk of exposure to organohalogens whilst providing the needed nutrients to meet the animals' nutritional requirements. In addition, it will enhance the biological defense mechanisms in pigs. Phytonutrition can enhance biodegradation, and detoxification of recalcitrant organohalogenated xenobiotics. This provides a low cost, "green" strategy to alleviate adverse effects of organohalogenated xenobiotics in pigs. The low costs associated with makes this a viable remedy, especially for low income countries.