Toxicological and Pathological Effects of Mycotoxins in Poultry in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of low molecular weight produced by a wide range of fungi, principally molds. There are over 200 species of molds that produced mycotoxins of fungi. This study was carried out in Al-Qassim region-Saudi Arabia to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxins in poultry feed to identify their different groups and study the toxicological and the pathological effects of these toxins. Methods: Samples of the poultry feeds were collected from different poultry farms and were analyzed by quantitative using ELISA. A portion of the tissues were collected for histopathology. Results: Mycotoxins were reported to be ubiquitously present as 67.86, 50, 50, 35.71 and 32.14% of the analyzed samples, which reported positive for aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisin, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone, respectively. Representative tissue sections showed necrosis of hepatocytes, glomerular, tubule-interstitial nephritis and necrotic myocarditis. The results indicate that most of these samples were below the maximum regulatory limit. Conclusion: The co-occurrence of several mycotoxins was demonstrated and the combined action of mycotoxins can generate an interactive effect such as additive, synergism, or antagonism.