Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 & G2 were administered in a low concentration (100 ppb of each aflatoxin (AN] in a mash offered to Baladi rabbits. An other group of rabbits were fed on the same contaminated mash in addition to 0.25% charcoal (CC). The two groups were compared to control animals fed on AN-free mash. Inclusion of AN in the diet decreased feed and water consumption, body weight and survival rate. Charcoal improved somewhat feed and water consumption and growth rate than AN-group. However, CC-group affected digestibility of organic matter more than AN-group. Relative weights of liver, kidneys, heart and adrenal glands were significantly higher in AN and CC groups than the control group. Blood haemoglobin content, packed cell volume percentage and sedimentation rate were lower in AN group. Although there were an increase in each of serum, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, phospholipids and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase in AN group, yet the serum nitrogen and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase were reduced. Charcoal had alleviated AN-effects concerning N, GPT and phospholipids. Chemical analysis revealed elevation of water, ash and silica contents of liver and water content of muscles from AN-animals. On the other hand, fat content, GOT and vitamin A in the liver as well as muscles ash were reduced. Addition of CC to the diet reduced AN-effects on liver fat, ash and silica but resulted in a rise of the water content of liver and muscles and liver GPT activity. Charcoal also resulted in a sharp decrease in vitamin A content of the liver. Aflatoxin treatments (in AN and CC groups) reduced bone ash, silica and magnesium as well as bone volume. Charcoal administration increased Ca-content of bones. Aflatoxin feeding (in AN group) resulted in a high residual percentage of AN in muscles, serum, liver, heart and kidneys with relationships of 51 :24 : 3 :2 : 1, respectively. Only 1.42% of the fed AN was excreted in the faeces. Charcoal usage had a good effect as it prevented AN to accumulate in the organs. Aflatoxin contaminated diets (in AN and CC groups) resulted in paralysis, disorder of fat deposition, discolouration and haemorrhages of some organs. Scanning electron microscopic examination revealed no ill effect on the surface structure of the small intestine due to either AN or AN + CC. Pathological examination showed that the main affected organs were liver, heart and spleen, respectively. The changes include hepatic round cell infiltration, irregularities of lobular plats, focal necrosis and periportal fibrosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

An attempt was made to study the effect of the presence of "El-Nasr" Fertilizer Plant in "Talkha" on the nitrate content of berseem as well as on some blood and milk constituents of buffaloes raised in the surrounding areas of the factory. The studied areas included the northern area (0-2 km from the factory), the south eastern area (1.5-3 km from the factory) and the control area (not nearer than 5 km from the factory). The study showed that the nitrate content in berseem grown near the factory had higher NO3 values exceeding 2% NO3 in DM in some cases. Berseem from the areas far from the factory had lower NO3 levels (about 50-200 ppm NO3 in DM). Samples from "El-Mansoura" and "El-Manzala" contained higher NO3 levels than the samples from "El-Senblawin" and "Belkas." There were no clear effects of cut sequence on nitrate levels in berseem. Values of blood packed cell volume and methaemoglobin percentages and plasma urea concentration did not differ significantly among the three areas (northern, south eastern and control areas). Blood haemoglobin and total protein contents were lower, whereas transaminase activity and blood nitrate contents were higher in buffaloes of the south eastern area than those for animals of the other two areas. The blood ammonia content in the control buffaloes was higher than that of the animals of the northern and south eastern areas. The analysis of milk revealed that nitrate levels were not different among areas or between morning and evening milkings. Total milk protein was higher in the northern area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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