Effects of feeding deoxynivalenol‐contaminated oats on reproduction performance in white leghorn hens

Abstract

1. The effect of feeding trichothecene-contaminated diets with graded concentrations of deoxynivalenol ranging from 120 to 4900 micrograms/kg to groups of laying hens was investigated. 2. Food intake, weight gain and egg production were not affected by mycotoxin administration. No significant differences were found between groups. 3. The overall results from the hatching tests did not reveal any significant differences in fertility, hatchability or perinatal mortality, which could be explained by the mycotoxin content in the diets. 4. Body weight at hatching and viability of the chicks were not affected by the mycotoxin concentrations in the diets. 5. The incidence of chick developmental anomalies was increased in the mycotoxin-administered groups compared to controls. Minor malformations were the dominating anomalies and included unwithdrawn yolk sac and delayed ossification. The most frequent major malformations were cloacal atresia and cardiac anomalies.

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on contaminants in the food chain [CONTAM] related to Deoxynivalenol (DON) as undesirable substance in animal feed

“…DON up to 83 mg/kg feed did not have a significant effect on the egg production in laying hens. Hatchability was not affected by levels of up to 18 mg DON/kg feed Kubena et al, 1987b;Bergsjö et al, 1993a;Lun et al, 1986). However, a small increase in the incidence of minor malformations, considered as delayed foetal maturation (delayed ossification, un-withdrawn yolk sac) were observed in chick foetuses from hens given a feed containing 2.5 or 3.1 mg DON/kg, but not in the group given 4.9 mg DON/kg feed (Bergsjö et al, 1993a).…”

Skeletal deformities induced by the intraperitoneal administration of deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) in mice

“…Khera et al [6] have described a high level of resorption, and severe abnormalities in the rare surviving foetuses after doses of 10-15 µg/g of DON were given to pregnant mice. Bergsjo et al [2] have shown that DON may induce delayed ossification in the chick.…”

Aflatoxicosis in Layer and Breeder Hens

“…Further, abnormalities like everted viscera, exposed brain, crossed beak, underdeveloped eyes and head and twisted limbs were observed. Bergsjo et al (1993) reported chick developmental anomalies when laying hens were fed diets containing 4.90mg of DON/kg of feed for 10 weeks. Diaz & Sugahara (1995) reported that birds fed aflatoxin at 0.66 or 3.00µg/kg diet did not show any adverse effect on chick performance.…”