Effect of Ergot From Different Sources and of Fractionated Ergot on the Performance of Growing Chicks

Abstract

RorrEn, R. G., MenQUARDT, R. R. aNo YouNc, J. C. 1985. Effect of ergot from different sources and of fractionated ergot on the performance of growing chicks. Can. J. A series of experiments was conducted on growing chicks to compare the toxic effects of ergot from different sources and to partially fractionate the toxic component(s) in ergot. Changes in body weight gain, feed consumption relative to control birds and mortality were used as indicators of toxicity. Seven-day-old male Leghorn chicks were offered feed containing ground ergot from rye, wheat and triticale for a period of 7 days. The ergot samples were obtained from different locations in Canada and were added to the diets so that the concentration of total alkaloids was either 45 or 90 mg/kg. The relative weight gains for birds fed diets containing 45 and 90 mg/kg total alkaloids varied considerably, ranging from 49 to 65Vo and tiom l8 Io 42Va of controls, respectively. The degree of depression in relative performance was not uniform among the different ergot samples when their concentration in the diet was increased. In a fractionation study, most of the toxic activity in the ergot was concentrated in the alkaloid fraction, suggesting that most of the toxic components are alkaloid related. There was also some loss of the alkaloids and the corresponding potency of toxic factors during the isolation. It may be concluded that the total alkaloid content of an ergot sample can be used to predict the effects of ergot on chick performance. However, it is not a highly accurate prediction due to the variable content and variable effects ofthe individual alkaloids in a given sample and because most of the toxic activity of ergot is associated with the alkaloid fiaction. RESULTS Experiment IThe total alkaloid content of the ergot samples from different regions of Canada that were used in exp.

INFLUENCE OF AUTOCLAVING ON THE EFFECTS OF Lathyrus sativus FED TO CHICKS

“…During this time, the chicks were fed a commercial chick starter (21% protein). For the feeding trial, the chicks were randomized into Petersime battery brooders at I d of age, and managed as described by Rotter et al (1985). During Although much of the observed benefit of autoclaving on the feeding value of lathyrus may be attributable to a decrease in BOAA concentration, there should nevertheless be an improvement in feed efficiency and growth rate due to this treatment (Marquardt and Campbell 1974).…”

The Ability of Growing Chicks to Recover From Short-Term Exposure to Dietary Wheat Ergot and the Effect of Chemical and Physical Treatments on Ergot Toxicity

“…The preparation and characterization of the wheat ergot (0.3087" total alkaloids) and the methods of ergot analysis have been outlined in Rotter et al (1985b).…”

“…One-day-old male Single Comb White Leghorn (Leghorn) chicks were used in all studies and treated as described in Rotter et al (1985b For personal use only. Young et al (1983) using the same ergot source suggests that both the heat and chlorine gas treatments would have greatly reduced the alkaloid content.…”

“…The basal wheat-soybean meal diets were formulated to meet the minimum National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council ( 1977) requirements of replacement pullets (diet l; Rotter et al 1985b) and broiler chicks up to 4 wk of age (diet 2; Rotter et al 1985a …”

Estimation of Fungal Contamination of Cereal Grains as Determined by Measuring Glucosamine Concentration

“…The fungus was grown on a modified liquid medium (Yamazaki et al 1970) for 10 d. Fungal Rotter et al (1985).…”