Spontaneous intoxication in 34 horses after ingesting freshly harvested maize that was to be used for ensiling and heavily contaminated with young Datura stramonium plants, is described. The clinical status of all horses was monitored for 7 days, and included body (rectal) temperature, respiratory and heart rates, colour and moistness of visible mucosae, changes in pupil size, appetite, thirst, general behaviour, locomotion, sensory perceptions, urination and defaecation. The intoxication was accompanied by altered clinical status, namely mild hyperthermia, tachycardia, polypnoea, dyspnoea and shallow breathing, mydriasis, dry oral, rectal, vaginal and nasal mucosae, acute gastric dilatation and severe intestinal gas accumulation, anorexia to complete refusal of feed, decreased or absent thirst, absence of defaecation and urination. As a result of the treatment, the clinical parameters normalised between days 2 and 5. Necropsies and pathological studies were performed on two horses that died, revealing toxic liver dystrophy, cardiac lesions and substantial dystrophic and necrotic processes in the kidneys. The observed clinical signs, the pathomorphological changes and the applied therapy could be used in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of Jimson weed intoxication.

A protective effect of two herbs, Glycyrrhiza glabra and Tinospora cordifolia, given as feed additives was observed against the growth inhibitory effect of ochratoxin A (OTA) and associated immunosuppression and biochemical or pathomorphological changes. The feed levels of 3 mg/kg OTA and fine powder of one of both herbs were given during a period of 32 days to female broiler chicks divided into 3 experimental and 1 control groups (14 chicks per group). The observed pathological and biochemical changes, the changes in relative organs’ weight and body weight, and the decrease of antibody titer against Newcastle disease were more pronounced in the OTA-treated chicks without herbal supplementation, and less pronounced in the chicks treated additionally with G. glabra or T. cordifolia as was shown by the better feed performance and the higher body weight in the chicks treated with the herbs. The higher relative weight of lymphoid organs of the chicks supplemented with both herbs revealed their beneficial effects on the immune system. The hepatoprotective effect of both herbs was evident, being stronger in the chicks additionally supplemented with G. glabra shown by the pathomorphological findings and by the lower levels of aspartate transaminase (131.1 U/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (156.0 U/l). A protective effect of T. cordifolia on the bone marrow and kidneys was found as was shown by the lower levels of uric acid (382.9 μmol/l) compared to chicks given only OTA (466.9 μmol/l).

The contamination of poultry feeds with aflatoxins is a global problem responsible for considerable losses to poultry industry. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of aflatoxin B 1 and Mycotox NG, applied either independently or together, on performance, relative weights of visceral organs and antibody titres against Newcastle disease in turkey broilers. Experiments of 42-day duration were carried out with sixty 7-day-old female turkey broilers (meat TM strain) divided into one control and five treatment groups (n=10): Group І -control (fed standard feed according to the species and age of birds); Group II -experimental, whose feed was supplemented with 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG, Group ІІI -experimental, whose feed contained 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin В 1 , Group IVexperimental, whose feed contained 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin В 1 , Group V -experimental, supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin В 1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG and Group VI -experimental, supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin В 1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG. In Groups III and IV, production traits (live body weight, daily weight gain, feed intake) as well as antibody titres were reduced along with increased feed conversion and relative weights of liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, proventriculus and gizzard. At the same time, relative weights of the spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius were statistically significantly lower. The supplementation of the feed of Groups V and VI with 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG reduced and prevented some of deleterious effects of AFB 1 on production traits, antibody titres and relative weights of visceral organs.

Abstract. The present studiy was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of the carbamate insecticide carbofuran (Carbosan 35 ST) after experimental acute intoxication in quails (Coturnix coturnix). Experiments for monitoring of changes in clinical indices 10.5 mg/kg (experimental group IV), corresponding to 1/10 LD50, 1/5 LD50, 1/2 LD50 and LD50 oral doses for albino rats, respectively. In three consecutive days prior to the treatment (hours -48, -24 and 0) and 1, 3, 5, 7, 24 and , 2010). Having investigated accidents with wild birds in the USA, (herbicides), agents of fungal diseases (fungicides) etc. (Klaassen, Great Britain and Canada between 1985-1995, Mineau and Fletcher 2008. In modern agriculture, the use of these preparations is a (1999) established that carbamate and organophosphate limiting factor for protection of plants from pests and their use serves insecticides have induced the greatest number of intoxications -520 to increase crop yields. The wide application and toxicity of registered cases. The main cause was negligence as treated seeds pesticides are the cause for intoxications in animals and humans (wheat and corn) were not well buried in the ground and therefore (Guitart et al., 2010a). The continuous and uncontrolled pollution of were picked up by birds or they were secondarily intoxicated from soils and waters with pesticides for plant protection could have a eating earthworms contaminated with pesticides. dangerous impact by contamination of plants, some of which areIn previous studies of ours on blood enzyme activity in quails consumed by humans and another part serves for feeding livestock (Binev et al., 2014b), treated with increasing doses of the carbamate producing main foods of animal origin. That is why the use of insecticide carbofuran, reduced serum cholinesterase and elevated pesticides is a global ecotoxicological problem (Guitart et al., activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, 2010a).creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase were established. The The largest pesticide group is that of insecticides, mainly most pronounced changes were noted in the beginning of represented by carbamates and organophosphate compounds. The intoxication (hours 1-3), followed by restoration of studied toxicokinetics of carbamate pesticides is due to altered activity of th parameters until the 24 hour. In our country, experimental studies cholinesterase, but organocarbamate compounds bind to the active on the toxic effect of carbamate compounds have been carried out site of the enzyme via reverse carbamylation (Peranantham et al., with chickens (Yotsev et al., 1997), but there are no data for the 2014).effects of carbamate insecticide carbofuran in wild birds, which are One of the most commonly used and most toxic carbamate the commonest victims of intoxications in the nature. insecticides is carbofuran (Carbosan, Furadan, Curater). ТheseThe reported data and the increasing incidence of large-scale properties of carbofuran are the cause for increased cases of intoxi...

Aflatoxins are toxic metabolites of moulds from the genus Aspergillus (Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus being the main producers). The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on bursa of Fabricius morphology. Also, the possibility for prevention of toxic effects of AFB1 by feed supplementation of a mycosorbent (Mycotox NB) was studied. Experiments were carried out with sixty 7-day-old female turkey broilers (meat TM strain) divided into one control and five treatment groups (n=10). Groups were as followed: Group I – control (fed standard feed according to the species and age of birds); Group II – experimental, whose feed was supplemented with 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG, Group III– experimental, whose feed contained 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin B1, Group IV – experimental, whose feed contained 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin B1, Group V – experimental, supplemented with 0.2 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG and Group VI – experimental, supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG. The duration of the experiments was 42 days. The changes in bursal morphology in control and treated groups were followed out after the end of the study. In birds from experimental groups ІІI and IV, atrophy and degenerative changes have occurred in the bursa of Fabricius: reduction of lymphoid cell - populations in lymphoid follicles along with dystrophy. Feed supplementation with the tested toxin binder (Groups V and VI) resulted in partial neutralisation of deleterious effects of AFB1 on severity of histological lesions: interfollicular oedema, considerably lower lymphoid follicle rarefaction.

No abstract

The changes in relative weight of kidneys, blood plasma uric acid, urea, creatinine, calcium and inorganic phosphate, and the morphology of kidneys were investigated in turkey broilers with experimentally induced aflatoxicosis B1 (AFB1) treated or not with a mycosorbent (Mycotox NB). Experiments were carried out with 60 7-day-old female turkey broilers (meat TM strain) divided into one control and five treatment groups (n=10): Group I – control (0 mg/kg AFB1 not supplemented with Mycotox NG); Group II (0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG), Group III (0.2 mg/kg AFB1), Group IV (0.4 mg/kg AFB1), Group V (0.2 mg/kg AFB1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG) and Group VI (0.4 mg/kg AFB1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG). The changes in blood parameters were assayed on day 21 and 42. Blood analysis in groups III and IV on day 21 showed increased urea and creatinine concentrations and reduction in blood uric acid, calcium and inorganic phosphate. These changes tended to become more pronounced on day 42. The relative weight of kidneys was increased in groups III and IV after the end of the experiment. Morphological alterations of renal parenchyma in Groups I and II were not present. In birds from group III, desquamation of epithelial cells from the basement membrane, dilated glomerular subcapsular space and round-cell proliferation were noted. In Group V, these changes were far more severe and comprised granular and fatty dystrophy, karyolysis and plasmolysis, necrobiotic to necrotic processes, haemorrhages, congestion. The supplementation of the feed of groups V and VI with the tested toxin binder reduced the severity of reduction of kidneys’ relative weight, magnitude of changes in blood parameters, and the frequency and severity of histological lesions.

Abstarct. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of aflatoxin B1 and Mycotox NG applied either independently or together, on blood total protein, albumin, blood glucose, total bilirubin, triglycerides, cholesterol, enzyme activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ GT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and changes in liver morphology. At the same time, the potential of supplementation of feed with a mycosorbent (Mycotox NG) was evaluated. Experiments were carried out with 40 1-day-old Toulouse geese from mixed sexes divided into one control and three treatment groups (n=10). Groups were as followed: Group I – control (0 mg/kg AFB1 not supplemented with Mycotox NG); Group II (0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG), Group III (0.5 mg/kg AFB1) and Group IV (0.5 mg/kg AFB1 and 0.5 g/kg Mycotox NG). In this study, commercially available geese of Toulouse strain were reared from day one to forty two days in the deep litter system of management and the birds were divided into four groups. Normal feed tested free of aflatoxin (AFB1), was given to the control (Group – 1). 0.5 g/kg Mycotox was supplemented with the feed to Group 2, Aflatoxin (0.5 mg/kg feed) was supplemented with the feed to Group 3 and Mycotox Ng (0.5 g/kg feed) + 0.5 mg/kg feed AFB1 was supplemented with the feed to Group 4. The duration of the experiments was 42 days. The monitored blood chemical parameters were analysed on post treatment days 21 and 42. In birds treated only with AFB1, (group III) increased blood activities of studied enzymes. At the same time, blood total protein, albumin, cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides were reduced as compared to controls. The observed histopathological changes in the liver consisted in various extent of dystrophy (congestion, vacuolar and granular dystrophy, round cell proliferation, necrobiotic changes, hyperplasia of gallbladder epithelium). The addition of mycosorbent (Mycotox NG) to the feed of Groups IV reduced substantially the changes in blood chemistry and the severity and frequency of liver histological lesions. The addition of mycosorbent (Mycotox NG) to the feed of Groups IV reduced substantially the changes in blood chemistry and the severity and frequency of liver histological lesions.