Steatorrhea during aflatoxicosis in chickens.
Graded levels of dietary aflatoxin (0, .625, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 microgram/g) were tested for their effect on lipid excretion in feces of young broiler chickens. There was a highly significant (P less than .01) increase at 1.25 microgram/g and above including a threefold increase at 10 microgram/g, while growth rate was decreased only at levels of 2.5 microgram/g and above. Pancreatic lipase, the primary fat digestive enzyme, was decreased significantly (P less than .05) at all levels of aflatoxin and at 10 microgram/g was only 40% of the control value, Bile, which is required for lipid digestion and absorption, was decreased highly significantly (P less than .01) in concentration by all growth inhibition levels of aflatoxin. A slight but significant ( P less than .05) increase in bladder size at growth inhibitory levels of aflatoxin appeared adequate to compensate for decreased bile concentration. A pair feeding technique showed the effect of aflatoxin on fecal lipids and pancreatic lipase occurred in diets low (2%) or high (17%) in fat. The steatorrhea caused by aflatoxin apparently reflects a lipid malabsorption syndrome caused by an impaired ability to digest lipids.
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism; D004063:Digestion; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D011200:Poultry; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism
D000348:Aflatoxins