Study of aflatoxin B₁as a risk factor that impairs the reproductive performance in females – Egypt

Abstract

Infertility among couples in Egypt is causing increasing concern. Investigations showed a relationship between ovulatory disorders and the incidence of female factor-mediated fertility difficulties in couples. However, the factors responsible for the sudden increase in ovulatory disorders are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of aflatoxin in sera of infertile women and to correlate this with ovarian functions and hormonal parameters. Blood samples were collected from 70 adult Egyptian females comprising 50 infertile and 20 fertile control individuals, and screened for the presence of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ). Ovarian function was examined by measuring mean ovarian volume, and the umber and size of ovarian follicles. Blood hormonal levels were determined. All blood samples (patients and controls) showed negative results as regards AFB 1 analysis. However, there was a significant enlargement in the mean ovarian volume but a significant decrease in follicular size. In addition, there were significant higher levels of lutinizing hormone (LH) and significant lower levels of mid-luteal progesterone in infertile females. Although blood samples were negative with respect to AFB 1 , the role of aflatoxin cannot be excluded as a contributing factor to female infertility, since the toxin was found to produce deleterious effects on the reproductive system in animals. More studies including aflatoxin analysis in ovarian biopsies are recommended to ascertain involvement of this toxin.

Field Study on the Mycotoxin Binding Effects of Clay in Oreochromis niloticus Feeds and Their Impacts on the Performance as Well as the Health Status throughout the Culture Season

“…The detection of total aflatoxin and ochratoxin in naturally contaminated fish feed samples revealed the presence of aflatoxins in the 3 examined samples at levels (15, 22 and 12 (µg/kg)) respectively while the average levels of ochratoxins were (15, 6 and 6) respectively. The results revealed the presence of high levels of mycotoxins in naturally examined Oreochromis niloticus feed samples, which agree with El-Azab et al 5 .…”

“…A large percentage of the fish feed used around the world as well as in Egypt contains corn as a major ingredient. Corn is likely to contain high concentrations of mycotoxins, especially aflatoxin 5,19 .…”

“…The unreasonable global rise of animal derived proteins prices have enforced the farmers to use less expensive vegetable proteins like those of plant origin. Thus, the importance of mycotoxin contamination may increase since feed ingredients of plant origin, including byproducts, tend to have greater incidences of mycotoxin contamination 5 . At the same time, in the tropics many farmers store feeds in inferior conditions where feeds may become wet during transportation due to heavy rains and further deteriorated by rat and insect infestation.…”