Enhanced Production of Pancreatic Digestive Enzymes During Aflatoxicosis in Egg-Type Chickens ,

Abstract

As aflatoxin causes malabsorption and its toxicity is enhanced by a low protein diet, digestive enzymes formed in the pancreas apparently are influenced by aflatoxin. This hypothesis was investigated in a 2 X 2 factorial experiment. Six groups of 10 egg-type chickens per treatment were analyzed for the absence and presence of aflatoxin (0 and 4 micrograms/g diet) and for normal (12.75%) and low (10.00%) protein in soy-dextrose diets. The specific activities of pancreatic chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase, but not trypsin, were increased significantly (P less than .01) by aflatoxin. Lowering dietary protein had no effect by itself except to increase amylase activity. Low protein and aflatoxin interacted to lessen but not prevent the effect of aflatoxin on chymotrypsin and amylase. Calculation of total pancreatic activities revealed that aflatoxin increased trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase to 107, 169, 113, and 119%, respectively, of control values on the low protein diet, whereas values were 99, 175, 115, and 115%, respectively, on the normal protein diet. Neither aflatoxin nor low protein altered significantly (P less than .05) the lipid content of fecal material. Thus, aflatoxicosis in egg-type chickens is characterized by a surplus of some digestive enzymes and by normal fecal lipids in contrast to the specific deficiency of amylase and lipase and steatorrhea reported earlier in meat-type chickens. Whereas malabsorption caused by aflatoxin in broilers can be accounted for in part by impaired digestion, this mechanism apparently does not occur in egg-type chickens.

Aflatoxin B1 in Affecting Broiler’s Performance, Immunity, and Gastrointestinal Tract: A Review of History and Contemporary Issues

“…The activity of trypsin in pancreas was not affected by AFB 1 treatment. These results, except for reduction in lipase activity, are supported by earlier work of Richardson and Hamilton on layers [82]. These authors reported that 4 mg AFB 1 /kg diet increases the activity of pancreatic chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase.…”

The Effect of Inclusion Levels of Vitamin E and C on Performance of Broiler Chicks Fed Aflatoxin Contaminated Diets

“…The increase in feed consumption due to aflatoxicosis may be attributed to the activity of some digestive enzymes can be altered toward rising by aflatoxin exposure (Lesson et al, 1995). It was found that the specific activities of pancreatic chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase, but not trypsin increased significantly by aflatoxin (Richardson and Hamilton, 1987). The improvement (restored to as recorded in control) of feed consumption in some of vitamin groups, especially, in combination groups was in agreement with Salem et al (2001).…”

Gross intestinal adaptations in relation to broiler performance during chronic aflatoxin exposure

“…Matur et al (2010) in this regard found higher pancreatic amylase and chymotrypsin activity after exposure of Ross 308 birds to 0.1 mg of AFB 1 /kg of diet (from 427 to 457 d age). Though contradictory reports are available, Richardson and Hamilton (1987) noted improvements in the activity of pancreatic chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase in layers fed levels of AFB 1 as high as 4 mg/kg of diet. Similarly, Applegate et al (2009) noted a quadratic increase in the activity of intestinal maltase up to the AFB 1 doses of 1.2 mg/kg of diet.…”