Aflatoxin Contamination of Corn Used as Bait for Deer in the Southeastern United States

Aflatoxins, toxic metabolites of Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus, cause poor feed utilization, decreased weight gains, depressed immune function, liver dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities, and death in a wide variety of species including humans. Conservationists have become concerned that increasingly popular wildlife feeding or baiting practices could expose wildlife to toxic amounts of aflatoxin-contaminated grains. In particular, the effects of aflatoxins on the wild turkey (Meleagris gallopova silvestris) are of concern because the conspecific domestic turkey is highly susceptible to aflatoxins. To evaluate the effect of dietary aflatoxin on wild turkeys, four groups of 4-mo-old wild turkeys were fed diets containing either 0, 100, 200, or 400 g aflatoxin/kg feed for 2 wk in September and October 1996. Aflatoxin-fed poults had decreased feed consumption and weight gains as compared with control poults. Decreased liverto-body weight ratios, liver enzyme alterations, slightly altered blood coagulation patterns, and mild histologic changes indicated low-level liver damage. Compromise of cell-mediated immunity was indicated by decreased lymphoblast transformation. The effects were apparent in all treatment groups to variable levels, but significant differences most often were found at 400 g aflatoxin/kg feed. This study shows that short-term aflatoxin ingestion by wild turkeys can induce undesirable physiologic changes; therefore, exposure of wild turkeys to feeds containing aflatoxin levels of 100 g aflatoxin/kg feed or more should be avoided.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Dietary Aflatoxin on Wild Turkey Poults

Quist

Bounous²,

Kilburn

et al. 2000

“…For instance, 51% of corn used for feeding deer in North and South Carolina contained AF with concentrations as high as 750 ppb (Fischer et al, 1995). No data concerning how aflatoxin production in grain may be increased by the practice of using supplemental quail feeders is available.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aflatoxin Production in Supplemental Feeders Provided for Northern Bobwhite in Texas and Oklahoma

Oberheu

Dabbert

2001

“…Unfortunately, grain that has been condemned for human or domestic animal consumption typically gets marketed as feed for wildlife (Quist et al, 1997). Fischer et al (1995) noted that 51% of 39 samples of shelled corn used as bait in the eastern United States for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were positive for aflatoxin, with levels reaching 750 g/kg. However, the exposure of wild birds to aflatoxin-tainted grain is unexplored.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of Aflatoxin Concentrations in Wild Bird Seed Purchased in Texas

Henke

Gallardo

Martinez

et al. 2001

The use of backyard feeders to attract avian wildlife is a common practice throughout the United States. However, feeding wildlife may create a problem due to aflatoxin, a harmful fungal metabolite, which can affect wildlife that are fed contaminated grain. Our study was initiated to determine if songbirds were being exposed to aflatoxin-contaminated feed throughout Texas. Bags of wild bird seed (n ϭ 142) were purchased from grain cooperatives, grocery stores, and pet shops located in the panhandle, central, south, east, and west regions of Texas during spring and summer 1999. Aflatoxin concentrations in bird seed ranged from non-detectable to 2,780 g/kg. Overall, 17% of samples had aflatoxin concentrations greater than 100 g/kg, of which 83% contained corn as an ingredient. Retail establishment effects were noted in the southern and western regions of Texas, with average concentrations of aflatoxin greater from bags of bird seed purchased from grain cooperatives, followed by pet shops, then grocery stores. Regional differences in aflatoxin levels were not apparent from bags of seed purchased at pet shops; however, regional differences were noted in aflatoxin levels from seeds obtained at grocery stores and grain cooperatives. Average aflatoxin concentration from seed purchased at grocery stores was greatest in the panhandle region, followed by the remaining regions. Within grain cooperatives, the panhandle, south, and west regions of Texas exhibited higher levels of aflatoxin-contaminated bird seed than cooperatives within the east and central regions of Texas. Granivorous songbirds in Texas are exposed to aflatoxins at backyard feeders, which may be a significant morbidity and mortality factor.