The influence of vitamin A status on the response of chickens to aflatoxin B1 and changes in liver lipid metabolism associated with aflatoxicosis.
1 A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary retinol status on chickens ingesting aflatoxin B1. The effects of dietary supplementation with biotin and alpha-tocopherol were also examined. 2. Aflatoxin B1 levels greater than 1 mg/kg diet had a detrimental effect on 'liveability', body-weight gain, food intake and food conversion efficiency. When fed for more than 2 weeks aflatoxin increased relative liver weight and liver lipid concentration. These effects were less pronounced with avitaminotic A chickens. 3. A synergistic effect on hydropericardium development was observed between aflatoxin B1 and retinol. This effect was not observed when the dietary level of alpha-tocopherol was increased tenfold. 4. The specific activities of certain hepatic lipogenic and amino acid-metabolizing enzymes were influenced by aflatoxin ingestion. A reduction in lipogenic enzyme activity was observed before a reduction in the activities of amino acid-metabolizing enzymes. 5. Liver fatty acid composition was significantly influenced by aflatoxin B1. The extent of these changes was reduced by the inclusion of additional dietary biotin.
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001710:Biotin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002645:Chickens; D004032:Diet; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D000348:Aflatoxins; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D001710:Biotin