Sex and strain responses to aflatoxin B₁in the chicken

Abstract

SUMMARYA series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effects of both continuous and single dose ingestion of aflatoxin B 1 on Australian broiler chickens. Aflatoxin levels above 0.5 mg/kg diet decreased food intake and food conversion and retarded growth. The severity of the response and the ability of the birds to recover was dose related and dependent on the strain and sex of the chicken, males being more susceptible. Relative liver weight and liver lipid concentration were increased and significant changes occurred in liver fatty acid composition at this dietary level of aflatoxin B 1 . Mortality from a single dose of aflatoxin B 1 occurred within 72 hours with an approximate LD 50 of 15-18 mg aflatoxin B 1 /kg body-weight for the more susceptible male chickens.

Meta-analytical study of productive and nutritional interactions of mycotoxins in growing pigs

“…The influence of sex on the sensitivity to mycotoxins had already been reported in rodents (Gurtoo and Motycka, 1976;Castegnaro et al, 1998) and in birds (Bryden et al, 1980). In challenged pigs, the clinical and immunological parameters can also be influenced by sex (Cote et al, 1985;Rotter et al, 1996;Marin et al, 2006).…”

Observations on the liver of the chicken following aflatoxin B1ingestion

“…1). We have shown examples of aflatoxin-induced liver colour changes in the preceding paper (Bryden et al, 1980). In livers where the accessory lobe was well fissured or differentiated from the left lobe the normal colour extended over the whole accessory lobe.…”

Effects of aflatoxin B1on reproductive performance of farmed Nile tilapia

“…Similar results were found in studies of other animal species. For example growth rates for males of pigs, birds and rats were more affected by aflatoxins exposure than their female counterparts [25][26][27][28]. More studies exposing Nile tilapia with higher concentrations of aflatoxins beyond the highest doses in the present study may determine whether male and female tilapia responds differently in growth performance and feed intake.…”