Ultrastructural changes induced by chronic aflatoxicosis in chickens.
Effects in chickens of a low concentration of aflatoxin in the diet were investigated. After eight weeks, heart, pancreas, and liver tissues were examined by electron microscopy. Most damage was to liver; changes were observed both in individual parenchymal cells and in tissue organization. Proliferation of bile duct epithelial cells was extensive. The pancreas showed little change and was, therefore, a good organ for observation of early and/or mild ultrastructural changes associated with aflatoxicosis. The priority of initial nuclear change over cytoplasmic change was indicated in this organ. In the myocardium, the only significant changes were in mitochondria. Mitochondria of liver and pancreas were not altered. Leukoviruses were observed in the tissues of one aflatoxin-treated bird.
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D002908:Chronic Disease; D008099:Liver / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008931:Mitochondria, Muscle / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010179:Pancreas / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*
D000348:Aflatoxins