Ergot Alkaloids in Feed for Pekin Ducks: Toxic Effects, Metabolism and Carry Over into Edible Tissues

Abstract

Hardened sclerotia (ergots) of Claviceps purpurea contaminate cereal grains and contain toxic ergot alkaloids (EA). Information on EA toxicity in ducks is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the growth experiment (Day 0–49, n = 54/group) was to titrate the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for total ergot alkaloids (TEA). A control diet was prepared without ergots, and the diets designated Ergot 1 to 4 contained 1, 10, 15 and 20 g ergot per kg diet, respectively, corresponding to TEA contents of 0.0, 0.6, 7.0, 11.4 and 16.4 mg/kg. Sensitivity of ducks to EA was most pronounced at the beginning of the experiment when feed intake decreased significantly by 9%, 28%, 41% and 47% in groups Ergot 1 to 4, respectively, compared to the control group. The experiment was terminated after two weeks for ducks exposed to Ergot 3 and 4 due to significant growth retardation. Ergot alkaloid residues in edible tissues were lower than 5 ng/g. Bile was tested positive for ergonovine (=ergometrine = ergobasine) with a mean concentration of 40 ng/g. Overall, the LOAEL amounted to 0.6 mg TA/kg diet suggesting that ducks are not protected by current European Union legislation (1 g ergot/kg unground cereal grains).

Ergot Alkaloids in Fattening Chickens (Broilers): Toxic Effects and Carry over Depending on Dietary Fat Proportion and Supplementation with Non-Starch-Polysaccharide (NSP) Hydrolyzing Enzymes

“…Similar findings were reported for laying hens and Pekin ducks fed diets containing 13.7 mg and 11.4 mg/kg for 20 and 7 weeks, respectively [6,14]. Liver weights were significantly increased by 7% and 10% compared to the control groups in hens and ducks, respectively, while an average increase of 17% was noticed in the present experiment with broilers.…”

Effects of Continuously Feeding Diets Containing Cereal Ergot Alkaloids on Nutrient Digestibility, Alkaloid Recovery in Feces, and Performance Traits of Ram Lambs

“…Ergot alkaloids are known to impact lipid metabolism in sheep and other livestock, with increasing concentrations causing observable changes in fat cover and liver health [ 36 , 37 ]. In the current study, carcass dressing percentage was reduced for lambs fed the 1402 ppb diet compared to other treatments, possibly because of differing proportions of alkaloids, as relative concentrations of ergocornine and ergocryptine were elevated for this diet.…”

Impacts of Cereal Ergot in Food Animal Production

“…However, even for poultry long-term exposure to alkaloids may lead to loss of appetite, increased thirst, diarrhea, vomiting, and weakness ( 81 ). Similarly, Dänicke ( 82 ) exposed Peking ducks to four different diets containing 1, 10, 15, and 20 g ergot/kg diet, respectively. This corresponded to total ergot alkaloid contents of 0.0, 0.6, 7.0, 11.4, and 16.4 mg/kg.…”

“…While Mainka et al ( 45 ) identified no adverse effects on weight gain of chickens, Dänicke ( 82 ) observed a significant growth reduction after 2 weeks, suggesting that existing ergot alkaloid limits for poultry(1 g ergot/kg unground cereal grains in EFSA regulations) may not offer sufficient protection for ducks. Furthermore, Dänicke ( 82 ) detected alkaloid residues in edible tissue (5 ng/g) of Peking ducks that also had ergonovine in bile (40 ng/g). Thus, the negative performance of ducks when exposed to 0.6 mg/kg of ergot alkaloids indicates that not all species of poultry are equally tolerant of dietary ergot.…”