aflatoxin-b and Body-Weight

Aflatoxins (AF) and fumonisins (FU) are a major problem faced by poultry farmers, leading to huge economic losses. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of AF (1 mg/kg of feed) and FU (25 mg/kg of feed), singly or in combination, on the lipid metabolism in commercial layers and investigate the efficacy of a commercial binder (2 kg/t of feed) on reducing the toxic effects of these mycotoxins. A total of 168 Hisex Brown layer hens, 37 wk of age, were randomized into a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement (3 diets with no binder containing AF, FU, and AF+FU; 3 diets with binder containing AF, FU, and AF+FU; and a control diet with no mycotoxins and binders), totaling 7 treatments. The hens contaminated with AF showed the characteristic effects of aflatoxicosis, such as a yellow liver, resulting from the accumulation of liver fat, lower values of plasma very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, and higher relative weight of the kidneys and liver. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of FU were not observed in this study. On the other hand, the FU caused a reduction in small intestine length and an increase in abdominal fat deposition. The glucan-based binder prevented some of the deleterious effects of these mycotoxins, particularly the effects of AF on hepatic lipid metabolism, kidney relative weight, and FU in the small intestine.

Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animal Feed; Animals; Body Weight; Chickens; Diet; Eating; Female; Food Contamination; Fumonisins; Glucans; Lipid Metabolism; Oviposition

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding corn naturally contaminated with aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) and aflatoxin B(2) (AFB(2)) on serum biochemical parameters, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, and pathological lesions of broilers. In total, 1,200 Cobb male broilers were randomly allocated into 5 treatments, with 8 replicates per treatment and 30 birds per replicate, in a 42-d experiment. The dietary treatments were as follows: control, 25, 50, 75, and 100% contaminated corn groups. Results showed that serum aspartate aminotransferase activity in the 75 and 100% contaminated groups were higher than that in the control group on d 21 (P < 0.05). Decreased content of hepatic total protein and increased activities of hepatic glutathione reductase and glutathione-S-transferase were observed as the percentage of contaminated corn increased (P < 0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase and the content of hepatic malondialdehyde increased when the broilers were fed with more than 50% contaminated corn (P < 0.05). A reduction in glutathione peroxidase level was observed in the AFB(1)- and AFB(2)-contaminated groups on d 21 (P < 0.05). The average pathological lesion scores and apoptosis rate of liver cells increased as the concentration of dietary AFB(1) and AFB(2) increased. Ultrastructural changes were found in the livers of broilers fed 100% contaminated corn. In conclusion, diets containing AFB(1) and AFB(2) could induce pathological lesions in the livers, slightly change the serum biochemical parameters, and damage the hepatic antioxidant functions when the inclusion of AFB(1)- and AFB(2)-contaminated corn reached or exceeded 50%.

Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animal Feed; Animals; Apoptosis; Body Weight; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Chickens; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Food Contamination; Hepatocytes; Liver; Male; Poultry Diseases; Zea mays

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the underlying basis for aflatoxin-induced immunosuppression in the broiler chicken by detecting pathological lesions and apoptosis in thymus, bursa of Fabricius (BF) and spleen. COBB500™ male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group was fed on a basal corn-based diet while the other group (the AFB group) was fed on a similar diet but the corn was naturally contaminated with aflatoxins B1 and B2. Histopathological examination revealed that in the AFB group there was more nuclear debris in the three immune organs and obvious congestion of red pulp in the spleen, when compared with the control group. Ultrastructural examination showed lesions in the lymphocytes and reticulocytes of the three immune organs, the mucosal epithelium of the BF and the plasmocytes of the spleen. Increased apoptotic cells and an impaired membrane system (including nuclear membrane, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum [ER]) could be observed in the three immune organs in birds of the AFB group. In the plasmocytes, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum contained electron-dense matrix. By flow cytometry, the percentages of apoptosis were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the three organs of the AFB group than those of the control group. These observations suggested that the lesions of the immune organs were related to the immunosuppression, and that the apoptosis might be initiated by the mitochondrial pathway and ER chaperone pathway.

Topics: Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animal Feed; Animals; Apoptosis; Body Weight; Bursa of Fabricius; Chickens; Flow Cytometry; Food Contamination; Immune System; Male; Organ Size; Spleen; Thymus Gland; Zea mays

Purified aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) or AFB1 plus aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) was given daily for 5 weeks in gelatin capsules to 2-week-old feather-sexed broilers. In Experiment 1, pure AFB1 was given in doses equivalent to the quantity of toxin received, if diets containing either 0, 200, 500 or 1000 ppb of AFB1 were consumed. In Experiment 2, pure AFB1 or AFB1 plus B2 was administered in capsules in doses equivalent to the quantity of toxin received, if diets containing either 0, 100, 200, or 400 ppb of AFB1 were consumed. In Experiment 1, pure AFB1 greater than or equal to 500 ppb was only mildly toxic. These levels produced a significant decrease in the 5-week weight gain and microscopic lesions indicative of alfatoxicosis. No morbidity, mortality, or effects on feed conversion or immune responses, however, were noted in birds given pure AFB1 at these levels. Gross liver lesions indicative of aflatoxin toxicity occurred at the 1000 ppb only. Results of Experiment 2 were similar to the first. Weight gain and feed conversion were not affected for broilers receiving pure AFB1 as low as 200 ppb. No morbidity, mortality, or gross lesions were evident in birds given either pure AFB1 or AFB1 plus AFB2 as high as 400 ppb. However, cell-mediated immunity as measured by a delayed hypersensitive skin test was significantly affected in birds receiving 400 ppb AFB1 plus AFB2. No effects on humoral immunity or the development of acquired immunity to Newcastle disease or fowl cholera vaccination were noted.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibodies, Viral; Body Weight; Capsules; Carcinogens; Chickens; Drug Interactions; Female; Graft vs Host Reaction; Immunocompetence; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Newcastle disease virus; Pasteurella

Purified aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) or AFB1 plus aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) was given daily for 5 weeks in gelatin capsules to 2-week-old Nicholas X Nicholas turkeys. In Experiment 1, pure AFB1 was given in dosages equivalent to the quantity of toxin received if diets containing either 0, 200, 500, or 1000 ppb of AFB1 were consumed. In Experiment 2, either pure AFB1 or AFB1 plus AFB2 was given in capsules equal to the quantity of toxin received if a diet containing either 0, 100, 150, or 200 ppb of AFB1 was consumed. In Experiment 1, pure AFB1 administered by capsule equal to 500 and 1000 ppb was highly toxic and by the second week, it resulted in 100% morbidity, mortality, and gross and microscopic lesions. Aflatoxin B1 at 200 ppb caused none of these changes. However, it did cause a significant depression in feed conversion, but not weight gain, during all weeks and also a reduction in cell-mediated immunity (CMI) as measured by a delayed hypersensitive skin test to mycobacterium. Results in Experiment 2 were similar to the first. Aflatoxin B1 and AFB1 plus AFB2 as high as 200 ppb resulted in no morbidity, mortality, or gross or microscopic lesions. Also, no significant reductions in either weight gain or feed conversion were evident in any level of either AFB1 or AFB1 plus AFB2. However, numerical, but not statistically significant, dose-related reductions in all CMI tests were noted in birds receiving either AFB1 or AFB1 plus B2 at as low as 100 ppb.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Aflatoxin B1; Aflatoxins; Animals; Antibodies, Bacterial; Antibodies, Viral; Body Weight; Capsules; Carcinogens; Drug Interactions; Female; Graft vs Host Reaction; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Newcastle disease virus; Pasteurella; Turkeys