Individual and Combined Effects of Aflatoxin and Deoxynivalenol (DON, Vomitoxin) in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The individual and combined effects of aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol (DON) were evaluated in young broiler chickens (Hubbard X Hubbard). The experimental design was a 2 X 2 factorial with treatments of 0 and 2.5 micrograms of aflatoxin/g of feed (ppm) and 0 and 16 micrograms of DON/g of feed. The broilers were maintained on these dietary treatments from hatching to 3 weeks of age in electrically heated batteries with feed and water available ad libitum. The aflatoxin treatment significantly (P less than .05) decreased body weight; weight gain; increased the relative weight of the spleen, liver, and kidney; induced hepatic hyperlipemia; decreased activity of lactic dehydrogenase; and decreased serum levels of protein, albumin, and phosphorus. The toxicity of DON was expressed through reduced growth rate, increased feed conversion; increased relative weight of the gizzard, anemia, decreased activity of lactic dehydrogenase, and decreased serum triglycerides. The interaction between aflatoxin and DON was characterized by reduced growth rates; increased feed conversion, increased relative weight of the proventriculus, gizzard, spleen, liver, and kidney, anemia, hepatic hyperlipemia, decreased activity of alkaline phosphatase, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, and lactic dehydrogenase, and decreased serum levels of protein, albumin, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, and calcium. These data demonstrate that both aflatoxin and DON can limit broiler performance and adversely effect broiler health. The effects of the combination of aflatoxin and DON on broiler performance and health was more severe than the individual effects of these mycotoxins; however, the interaction was not severe enough to represent toxic synergy and can best be characterized as additive toxicity.

Effect of dietary esterified glucomannan on performance, serum biochemistry and haematology in broilers exposed to aflatoxin

“…In the present study, significant Tables 5 and 6). These findings agreed with the other reports that explain the suppressive effects of AF on haematopoiesis and immune responses (Huff et al, 1986;Oguz et al, 2003). The increase in heterophil counts suggested that the toxin was eliciting inflammatory response of chicks (Kececi et al, 1998).…”

Aflatoxicosis: Lessons from Toxicity and Responses to Aflatoxin B1 in Poultry

“…AFB1 consumption during growth can lead to immune tissue atrophy, reducing relative weights of the bursa, spleen and thymus [120,122,134,139,[149][150][151][152]. Increases in relative spleen weight have also been observed during aflatoxicosis [117,120,[153][154][155][156]. In young chickens, tissue changes are concomitant to the development of histopathological lesions.…”

Potential natural exposure of endangered red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) to mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T-2 toxin, and ochratoxin A

“…In spite of this, comparison of these concentrations to those used in laboratory experiments suggested that these cranes could have been subject to chronic mycotoxic effects. These negative effects include growth retardation, tumor development, and immunotoxicity, thus increasing crane susceptibility to predation and disease (Carnaghan, 1965;Choudhury, 1971;Huff et al, 1986;Kamalavenkatesh et al, 2005). Moreover, although low mycotoxin concentrations do not cause morbidity in controlled laboratory settings, it might reduce the survival probability of wild species that rely on highly efficient metabolic systems to cope with extreme environments, such as winter conditions (Oberheu and Dabbert, 2001).…”