Intestinl fragility during ochratoxicosis and aflatoxicosis in broiler chickens.
Graded concentrations of dietary ochratoxin (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram/g) and aflatoxin (0, 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 microgram/g) were fed to broiler chicks from hatching to 3 weeks of age. The breaking strength of the large intestines was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by ochratoxin (2, 4, and 8 microgram/g), but not by aflatoxin. This fragility was accompanied by an increase in the weight of the large intestine relative to body weight of birds fed ochratoxin (4.0 and 8.0 microgram/g), whereas aflatoxin had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on this parameter. Lipid content of the large intestine was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by aflatoxin (10.0 microgram/g) and increased by ochratoxin (8.0 microgram/g). Microscopic examination of cross sections of large intestines stained for collagen gave the impression of a great decrease in collagen content of birds fed ochratoxin, but not aflatoxin. The radial length of the collagenous longitudinal folds of the large intestine was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) by ochratoxin (2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 microgram/g). These observations, plus a field case characterized by intestinal ruptures causing carcass condemnations on the processing line and by the occurrence of aflatoxin and ochratoxin in the chicken feed, suggest a novel way in which mycotoxins cause economic loss to agriculture.
D000348:Aflatoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects
D000348:Aflatoxins; D008055:Lipids; D009793:Ochratoxins; D003094:Collagen