The objective of the present study was to investigate the chronic effect of transgenic maize lines by the insertion of the cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) on the growth performance, immune response and health using a Wuzhishan miniature pig model through a 196‐day feeding study.

RESULTS

Based on the gender and weight, 72 Wuzhishan miniature pigs were randomly assigned one of the diets containing 65% non‐transgenic isogenic corn or Bt corn at three stages of growth (day 0–69, 70–134 and 135–196). The potential toxicological effects of transgenic corn on pigs were explored. No difference between the diet treatments for growth performance and haematology parameters at any stages of growth. Although subtle differences in serum content of alanine aminotransferase, relative kidney weight and some immune response were observed between the Bt group and isogenic group, they were not considered as diet treatment‐related.