Skeletal changes in broiler chicks and turkey poults fed diets containing ochratoxin A

Broiler chicks and turkey poults were divided at hatching into experimental and control groups. Experimental birds were fed a diet contaminated with 4 ppm ochratoxin A, whereas the ration of control birds was confirmed to be mycotoxin free. Birds were killed at fortnightly intervals up to 10 weeks old and skeletal changes were investigated. Almost all experimental birds developed generalised skeletal osteopenia with disturbed endochondral and intramembranous bone formation. Histological changes in diaphyseal cortices could account for the reduced breaking strength of bones from birds fed mycotoxin, which have been reported by others. One bird showed changes consistent with a diagnosis of hypophosphataemic rickets. In others, however, osteoid formation was defective and changes were interpreted as osteoporosis. Although it might be tempting to suggest that osteoporosis is a result of a direct toxic effect of ochratoxin on osteoblasts, the effect of inanition, inactivity and general debility may be equally important.     

Evaluation of diets contaminated with aflatoxin and ochratoxin fed to growing pigs

The effects of dietary aflatoxin and ochratoxin, fed singly and in combination, were evaluated in growing crossbred pigs. Five barrows (7 weeks old at beginning of study) per group were fed either control feed, 2.0 mg of aflatoxin (AF)/kg of feed, 2.0 mg of ochratoxin (OA/kg of feed, or 2.0 mg of AF and 2.0 mg of OA/kg of feed for 28 days. Production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and pathologic evaluations were made. Body weights were reduced by the combination treatment, whereas body weight gain was decreased by all toxin treatments. The effect of AF and OA in combination on body weight gain was additive. Liver weights were increased by the combination treatment, whereas kidney weights were increased only in the OA group. Aflatoxin caused decreases in serum calcium, sodium, phosphorus, urea nitrogen, cholesterol, and glucose concentrations, whereas OA alone caused decreases in serum phosphorus, cholesterol, and hematologic values. The AF-OA treatment induced decreases in mean corpuscular volume, packed cell volume, and in serum concentrations of phosphorus, cholesterol, and urea nitrogen. The AF-OA treatment increased serum alkaline phosphatase activities and triglycerides. It was concluded that AF and OA, singly or in combination, can affect clinical performance, serum biochemical and hematologic values, and organ weights of barrows. Although values of some measurements were affected more by the combination than by either toxin alone and suggested synergism or antagonism, the toxic interactions could best be described as additive.     

Evaluation of wet-feeding wheat-based diets containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae to broiler chickens

1. This experiment investigated the effects of water and Saccharomyces cerevisiae added to wheat-based diets on gastrointestinal, blood and performance parameters of broiler chickens. 2. A total of 160 one-d-old male broiler chicks were given air-dry or wet diets, with or without S. cerevisiae supplementation (0 and 20 g/kg air-dry feed) ad libitum to 42 d. 3. Feeding broilers with a diet mixed with water in a ratio of 1·2 : 1·0 increased body weight, feed intake, abdominal fat, carcase weight, feed transit time and blood HDL (high density lipoprotein) (without yeast). Supplementation with S. cerevisiae increased DM digestibility but reduced ileal pH, ileal coliform population and abdominal fat content. 4. There was a significant interaction between S. cerevisiae and wet feeding, with S. cerevisiae supplementation inducing a significant increase in body weight and feed intake but a reduction of relative abdominal fat and ileal pH of broilers fed on wet diets. 5. It is concluded that wet feeding improved growth performance by increasing feed intake and that the addition of a culture of S. cerevisiae had a growth stimulating effect, as the inclusion of yeast in wet wheat-based broiler diets generated greater responses than yeast in dry-based diets.     

Characterization of the toxicity of the mycotoxins aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and T-2 toxin in game birds. I. Chukar partridge

Chukar partridges were fed diets containing 1.25, 2.5, or 5 ppm aflatoxin; 1, 2, or 4 ppm ochratoxin A (OA); or 4, 8, or 16 ppm T-2 toxin. Toxin-induced mortality was seen during the third week with 4 ppm OA (12.5%) and 16 ppm T-2 toxin (15%), compared with the mortality in control chukars fed no toxin (2.5%). Body weights were significantly decreased by the highest level of aflatoxin at 3 weeks of age, by the highest level of OA by 2 weeks of age, and by 8 and 16 ppm T-2 toxin by 1 week of age. Aflatoxin did not affect liver weight and OA did not increase kidney weight in 3-week-old chukars. There was a slight decrease in kidney weight in chukars fed 4 ppm OA; however, the decrease was related to the decrease in body weight produced by the toxin. Mouth lesions were seen at all levels of T-2 toxin fed.     

In vitro and in vivo protective effects of three mycotoxin adsorbents against ochratoxin A in broiler chickens

1. The objective of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo (in broiler chickens) ochratoxin A (OTA) adsorption efficiency of three different adsorbents: inorganic (modified zeolite); organic (esterified glucomannans) and mixed (inorganic and organic components plus enzymes).

2. The aim of the study was to investigate which of these adsorbents provided the best protection against the presence of residues of OTA in the pectoral muscle and liver of broilers given an OTA-contaminated diet. In addition, it was important to test and compare the results of adsorbent efficiency using two different in vitro methods.

3. The results from classical in vitro investigations carried out in the artificial intestinal fluid, showed that the inorganic adsorbent (Mz), exhibited the highest adsorption, having adsorbed 80.86 ± 1.85% of OTA, whereas average in vitro adsorption abilities of organic (30.52 ± 3.50%) and mixed (32.00 ± 2.60%) adsorbents were significantly lower.

4. In the investigation of absorption in everted sacs of broiler duodenal segments (Everted Duodenal Sacs Procedure), higher OTA adsorption in gut was exhibited by organic adsorbent, 74.26 ± 4.48%. Furthermore, the mean adsorption efficiency of mixed and inorganic adsorbent was 65.26 ± 4.76% and 45.75 ± 7.14%, respectively.

5. In the in vivo investigation, broilers were fed for 21 d on diets containing 2 mg/kg of OTA and supplemented with inorganic (Mz), organic (Ms) or mixed adsorbent (Mf) at the recommended concentration of 2 g/kg of feed. All three adsorbents significantly decreased OTA residue concentrations in the pectoral muscle and livers, but the order of effectiveness was mixed > organic > inorganic. The most efficient was the mixed adsorbent which decreased residue concentration by 72.50% in pectoral muscle and 94.47% in livers.

6. The Everted Duodenal Sac in vitro method provided results similar to those obtained in the in vivo study. However, further studies are required to investigate the efficiencies of adsorbents against various mycotoxins using this method.     

Myocardial and pancreatic lesions induced by T-2 toxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin, in swine

Myocardial and pancreatic lesions induced by sublethal doses of T-2 toxin in swine were characterized by light and electron microscopy. Toxin was given intravenously to six 17- to 18-week-old pigs. Pigs were killed 24 or 48 hours after treatment. Grossly, subendocardial hemorrhages, multifocal pinpoint white foci in myocardium, and pancreatic edema occurred in one treated pig. Histologic changes in myocardium of treated pigs consisted of multifocal edema, mononuclear cell infiltration, myofiber hyalinization, vacuolation, and contraction bands with nuclear pyknosis. Ultrastructurally, there were areas of edema, myofibrillar disorganization, dilation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, and formation of hypercontraction bands. Myocardial mineralization was seen in the pig with gross lesions. Pancreatic changes in treated pigs consisted of multifocal acinar degeneration and necrosis. Ultrastructural changes included irregular dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal zymogen granules. Thus, in addition to radiomimetic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and lymphoid organs, heart and pancreas are target organs of T-2 toxin in swine.     

Characterization of the toxicity of the mycotoxins aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and T-2 toxin in game birds. II. Ringneck pheasant.

Ringneck pheasants were fed diets containing 1.25, 2.5, or 5 ppm aflatoxin; 1, 2, or 4 ppm ochratoxin A (OA); or 4, 8, or 16 ppm T-2 toxin. Severe toxin-induced mortality was seen during the first to third weeks with 2.50 and 5.00 ppm aflatoxin (92.5% and 97.5%, respectively), compared with the mortality in control pheasants fed no toxin (0%). Slight mortality (less than or equal to 5%) was seen with OA and T-2 toxin. Body weights were significantly decreased by the lowest level (1.25 ppm) of aflatoxin by 2 weeks of age, by the two highest levels of aflatoxin by 1 week of age, and by 16 ppm T-2 toxin by 1 week of age. The feed-conversion ratio was increased by 2.50 and 5.00 ppm aflatoxin compared with the feed-conversion ratio in controls, although high mortality may have influenced the results. Aflatoxin had no effect on liver weight, but OA increased kidney weight in 3-week-old pheasants. Mouth lesions were seen in some of the pheasants fed T-2 toxin.     

Characterization of the toxicity of the mycotoxins aflatoxin, ochratoxin, and T-2 toxin in game birds. III. Bobwhite and Japanese quail.

Bobwhite and Japanese quail were fed diets containing 1.25, 2.50, or 5.00 ppm aflatoxin; 1, 2, or 4 ppm ochratoxin A (OA); or 4, 8, or 16 ppm T-2 toxin. Aflatoxin induced mortality in bobwhites during the second and third week with 1.25 ppm (10%), 2.50 ppm (30%), and 5.00 ppm (40%), and during the same period with T-2 toxin at 8 ppm (20%) and 16 ppm (22.5%). Body weights of bobwhite quail were significantly decreased by the two higher levels of aflatoxin by 2 weeks of age, and by the two higher levels of T-2 toxin by 1 week of age. In Japanese quail, only the highest level of aflatoxin and T-2 toxin reduced body weight (by 3 weeks and by 1 week of age, respectively), and even then to a much lesser extent than in bobwhites (less than 10%). Aflatoxin did not affect feed-conversion ratio (FCR) in bobwhite quail, but the two higher levels of T-2 toxin increased FCR. None of the toxins induced mortality or increased the FCR in Japanese quail. Aflatoxin increased liver weight in both bobwhite and Japanese quail. OA increased kidney weight in 3-week-old Japanese quail but had no effect on the kidney weight of bobwhite quail. Mouth lesions were progressively more severe in bobwhite quail fed increasing levels of T-2 toxin, but lesions were far less severe in Japanese quail.     

Subacute toxicity of dietary T-2 toxin in mice: morphological and hematological effects.

Changes in hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues of young Swiss mice fed a balanced semipurified diet containing T-2 toxin (20 ppm) were examined after one, two, three, four or six weeks. During the first three weeks of exposure of T-2 toxin, lymphoid tissues, bone marrow and splenic red pulp became hypoplastic, resulting in anemia, lymphopenia and eosinopenia. Subsequently, during continued exposure to T-2 toxin, hematopoietic cells regenerated in bone marrow and splenic red pulp and became hyperplastic by six weeks. Granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis resumed in advance of erythropoiesis. All lymphoid tissues remained atrophic throughout the six week trial. Mice exposed to T-2 toxin also developed perioral dermatitis and hyperkeratosis with ulceration of the mucosa of the esophageal region of the stomach. These results indicated that young mice were susceptible to both the irritant and the hematopoietic-suppressive toxic effects of dietary T-2 toxin. However, supression of hematopoiesis was transient and did not lead to hematopoietic failure.     

Effect of feeding T-2 toxin contaminated feed on the utilisation of vitamin E in chickens

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of experimental T-2 toxin load (2.35 mg/kg of feed) and vitamin E supply in the drinking water (10.5 mg/bird/day) on vitamin E levels of the blood plasma and liver in broiler chickens in a 14-day experiment. It was found that T-2 toxin load did not influence vitamin E content of the blood plasma except at day 3 after the toxin load when a moderate increase was detected in plasma vitamin E. No significant changes were found in vitamin E content of the liver. The simultaneous use of high-dose vitamin E supplementation and T-2 toxin load caused a significantly higher plasma vitamin E content but the changes were less expressed in the group subjected to T-2 toxin load. Vitamin E supply also resulted in a marked and significant increase in vitamin E concentrations of the liver on days 3 and 7 even in the T-2 loaded group, but this concentration significantly decreased thereafter. The results show that T-2 contamination of the diet has an adverse effect on the utilisation of vitamin E in broiler chickens.     

Immunotoxic effects of T-2 mycotoxin on cell-mediated resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection

The effect of T-2 toxin on cell-mediated resistance to bacterial infection was evaluated in mice exposed to Listeria monocytogenes. Mice were inoculated with 4.0 X 10(5) (LD50) or 4.0 X 10(4) (nonlethal) L. monocytogenes on day 0 and treated orally on days 0, 1, 2, and 3 with 2.0, 1.0, or 0 mg/kg T-2 toxin. Toxin induced suppression of resistance was indicated by the rapid growth of Listeria in the spleen and by significant (P less than 0.005) increases in mortality due to listeriosis. Necrosis and depletion of lymphoid tissue, lymphopenia, and a marked decrease in the influx of lymphocytes and macrophages into Listeria elicited peritoneal exudates and at sites of infection in the liver and spleen occurred in the toxin treated mice. The immunotoxic effect of T-2 toxin on cell-mediated resistance to listeriosis was dosage dependent and attributed to toxin induced lymphoid depletion and the failure of surviving lymphocytes and mononuclear cells to clear the host of infection.     

Preparation of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A for research and diagnostic purposes

The following fungal strains were tested for the production of the mycotoxin ochratoxin A: Aspergillus melleus (CCM F 802), Aspergillus ochraceus (CCM 8002) and Aspergillus ochraceus (CCM F 803). The strain Aspergillus melleus (CCM F 802) proved to be very suitable for the laboratory preparation of ochratoxin A. The mould was multiplied on a natural substrate for 14 days at the temperature of 28 degrees C and at 100% relative humidity. Ochratoxin A was extracted into organic solvents (chloroform + acetic acid), purified with aqueous alkaline solutions and by preparative thin-layer chromatography. The isolated mycotoxin was identified by physico-chemical methods. The amount of pure ochratoxin A isolated from 600 g of substrate was 305 mg.     

Subacute toxicity of Dietary T-2 toxin in mice: influence of protein nutrition.

The subacute toxic effects of dietary T-2 toxin (20 ppm) incorporated in semipurified diets of 8%, 12% or 16% protein, were examined in young Swiss mice after one, two, three and four weeks. Dietary T-2 toxin caused substantial reductions in growth and food consumptaion, the degrees of which were greatest in mice fed the diets of reduced protein content. T-2 toxin consistently caused similar degrees of nonregenerative anemia, lymphopenia, thymic atrophy and gastric hyperkeratosis irrespective of the dietary protein level. However, erythroid hypoplasia was temporary in mice fed T-2 toxin in the 16%-protein diet such that erythroid precursors regenerated in splenic and bone marrow and were hyperplastic after four weeks. Liver to body weight ratios of mice fed T-2 toxin in the 16%-and 12%-protein diets increased during the four week trial in comparison to control mice fed at a similar rate. These observations indicated that suppression of erythropoiesis in mice by dietary T-2 toxin was temporarty and that the interval before regeneration was prolonged by diets of reduced protein content.     

The efficacy of a modified aluminosilicate as a detoxifying agent in Fusarium toxin contaminated maize containing diets for piglets

Two feeding experiments with female weaned piglets were carried out applying a complete two by two factorial design to investigate the effects of the dietary inclusion of 500 g/kg Fusarium toxin contaminated maize (8.6 mg/kg deoxynivalenol (DON); 1.2 mg/kg zearalenone (ZON)) and of 4 g/kg aluminosilicate (AS) as a detoxifying agent. The resulting four diets were fed ad libitum to a total of 80 piglets (20 piglets per group, allotted to a total of 20 pens) covering a live weight range of 10.5 +/- 1.3 to 27.5 +/- 4.4 kg in experiment 1, and to a total of 48 piglets (12 piglets per group, allotted to 12 pens) covering a live weight range of 9.7 +/- 1.8 to 21.4 +/- 4.8 kg in experiment 2. The animals of experiment 1 were slaughtered on days 34-36 of feeding the experimental diets. The mycotoxin analyses revealed that the control maize also contained considerable concentrations of Fusarium toxins, but the differences in DON and ZON concentrations between control and contaminated diets were sufficiently high to demonstrate both dose-related toxin effects. Voluntary feed intake and live weight gain of the animals were significantly reduced by the inclusion of Fusarium toxin contaminated maize into the diets in both experiments, while a significantly decreased feed to gain ratio was found in experiment 1. Furthermore, the relative weight of the uterus, stomach and heart of the animals fed the contaminated maize containing diets were significantly increased. Serum albumin concentrations and the activity of GLDH were significantly reduced by the inclusion of the contaminated maize. The addition of AS to the Fusarium toxin contaminated diets did not prevent or alleviate any of the mentioned effects. Moreover, the feed intake tended to be decreased by this supplementation in both experiments, while a significantly decreased feed to gain ratio was indicated for this factor in experiment one as well. The serum concentration of albumin and the activities of ASAT and gammaGT were significantly increased if AS was present in the diets while serum concentration of cholesterol and alpha-tocopherol were decreased significantly or in tendency, respectively. The concentrations of retinol and retinyl esters in liver and serum were not altered by the treatments. The analysed concentrations of zearalenone (ZON) and its metabolites in the bile fluid clearly indicated the differences in dietary ZON concentrations and showed that AS was ineffective in preventing the absorption of the toxin from the gastrointestinal tract. Also, serum concentrations of DON reflected the DON intake prior to sampling. However, there were no differences between groups fed diets with or without AS which also suggests the inefficacy of the tested AS in preventing the DON absorption. The present investigations failed to demonstrate a detoxifying capacity of the tested additive and emphasize the general necessity for a critical verification of detoxifying agents in vivo.     

霉菌毒素污染日粮对后备母猪生长性能、养分消化及血液指标的影响

文章旨在评估呕吐毒素污染的玉米对后备猪生长性能、养分消化及血液指标的影响.试验选择平均初始体重为(33.77±0.23)kg的二元后备猪320头,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复20头.对照组饲喂正常玉米～豆粕型日粮,处理组饲喂分别用100、200和300?g/kg呕吐毒素污染的玉米替代正常玉米配制日粮,试验共进行...     

Growth and food intake responses to diets of different protein contents and a choice between diets containing two concentrations of protein in broiler and layer strains of chicken

1. Food intake, protein intake and body weight gain were measured in male broiler and layer strains of chickens offered approximately isocaloric diets containing various concentrations of protein from 4 to 9 weeks of age. The carcases were analysed for protein, fat and ash.

2. In the first experiment 5 birds of each strain were given diets containing either 65, 115, 172, 225 or 280 g protein/kg fresh matter. The sixth group was given a choice between 65 and 280 g/kg. There was an approximately linear increase in protein deposition with dietary protein content up to 280 g/kg with broilers and 225 g/kg with layers. When a choice of diets was offered, birds of both strains grew at a rate not significantly different from that of birds on the diets with the lowest protein content which gave maximal growth given singly, by making an apparently appropriate choice from the two diets.

3. In the second experiment broilers were offered a choice of two diets in the following combinations: 65 and 115, 65 and 225, 115 and 225, 225 and 280 and 280, and 320 g/kg protein. They were able to differentiate successfully between two diets on the basis of their protein content and, where the two diets were on either side of the optimum, to change the proportions selected as they grew to match their changing requirement for dietary protein. When given two diets, both of which had protein contents lower than the single diets which gave maximal growth, birds ate predomi‐nandy from ‘that closer to that optimal diet. When both diets had a higher protein content than the optimum birds ate mostly from that closer to optimum.

4. The results show that growing chickens can match their protein intake closely to their requirements when given a pair of diets that allows this; if both diets are on the same side of the optimum then the one closest to that required is predominandy chosen.     

降低肉鸡饲养成本的新方案(2)

2通过氨基酸营养降低肉鸡饲料成本肉鸡饲料成本中有很大比例是用来满足蛋白质/氨基酸的需要。对一个养鸡公司来说,饲料中的蛋白质/氨基酸水平是一个影响经济效益的重要因素。这一部分包括5个关于蛋白质/氨基酸需要量的试验(最后一个试验虽然不是关于蛋白质/氨基酸的,因其与降低     

Response of broiler chicks to non-steam- or steam-pelleted diets containing raw,full-fat soybean meal

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of steam pelleting of diets containing graded levels of raw, full-fat soybean meal (RSBM) on the chemical properties and feeding values of the diets. Samples of diets with steam- or non-steam-pelleted as well as the mash containing varying levels of RSBM were subjected to detailed chemical analysis. As a result of this study, trypsin inhibitor (TI) concentrations in the diets ranged between 4,153 and 10,484 TIU/g. Amino acid concentrations were higher in the non-steam-pelleted and mash diets than the steam-pelleted diets. A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement (RSBM: zero, 10, 20 or 30%, equivalent to zero, 30, 60, and 90 g/kg of diet, respectively, and non-steam- or steam-pelleted diets) was used while feeding broiler chicks (zero to 14 d of age). Each treatment was replicated 6 times with 8 birds per replicate. As a result of this study, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in mortality of birds among the groups. Feed intake (FI) (P < 0.05) and body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.001) decreased with increasing levels of RSBM. Birds fed on steam-pelleted diets gained less (P < 0.001) weight than birds on the non-steam-pelleted diets, but the FI was not significantly (P > 0.05) different. The FCR was negatively affected (P < 0.05) by increasing levels of RSBM. There was no interaction effect between RSBM and pelleting method on the FI, BWG, or FCR of birds. The weight of the pancreas (P < 0.001) and duodenum (P < 0.01) increased with a rise in the level of RSBM in diets. Non-steam pelleting increased (P < 0.05) the pancreatic protein content, whereas the activity of chymotrypsin was reduced (P < 0.01) when the RSBM level was increased. Birds fed with RSBM-free diets had thicker muscle, longer villi, wider villus surface area, and higher villus to crypt depth ratios than birds on the other diets, but these differences were not significant. It can be concluded that steam pelleting of diets containing RSBM is inadequate to reduce the adverse impact of TI on chicks.     

Supplements of transgenic malt or grain containing (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase increase the nutritive value of barley-based broiler diets to that of maize

1. A diet with addition to normal barley of malt from transgenic barley expressing a protein engineered, thermotolerant Bacillus (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase during germination has previously been demonstrated to provide a broiler chicken weight gain comparable to maize diets. It also reduced dramatically the number of birds with adhering sticky droppings, but did not entirely eliminate sticky droppings. One of the objectives of the broiler chicken trials reported here was to determine if higher concentrations of transgenic malt could alleviate the sticky droppings. 2. Another aim was to investigate the feasibility of using mature transgenic grain containing the thermotolerant (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase as feed addition and to compare diets containing transgenic grain to a diet with the recommended amount of a commercial beta-glucanase-based product. 3. Inclusion of 75 or 151 g/kg transgenic malt containing 4.7 or 98 mg/kg thermotolerant (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase with 545 or 469 g/kg non-transgenic barley instead of maize yielded a weight gain in Cornish Cross broiler chickens indistinguishable from presently used maize diets. The gene encoding the enzyme is expressed in the aleurone with a barley alpha-amylase gene promoter and the enzyme is synthesised with a signal peptide for secretion into the endosperm of the malting grain. 4. Equal weight gain was achieved, when the feed included 39 g/kg transgenic barley grain [containing 66 mg/kg thermotolerant (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase] and 581 g/kg non-transgenic barley instead of maize. In this case, the gene encoding the enzyme has been expressed with the D-hordein gene (Hor3-1) promoter during grain maturation. The enzyme is synthesised as a precursor with a signal peptide for transport through the endoplasmic reticulum and targeted into the storage vacuoles. Deposition of the enzyme in the prolamin storage protein bodies of the endosperm protects it from degradation during the programmed cell death of the endosperm in the final stages of grain maturation and provides extraordinary heat stability. The large amount of highly active (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase in the mature grain allowed the reduction of the transgenic grain ingredient to 0.2 g/kg diet, thus making the ingredient comparable to that of the trace minerals added to standard diets. 5. A direct comparison using transgenic grain supplement at the level of 1 g/kg of feed with the standard recommended addition of the commercial enzyme preparation Avizyme 1100 at 1 g/kg yielded equal weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency in birds fed a barley-based diet. 6. The production of sticky droppings characteristic of broilers fed on barley diets was avoided with all 9 experimental diets and reduced to the level observed with a standard maize diet by supplementation with transgenic barley. 7. The excellent growth and normal survival of the 400 broilers tested on barley diets supplemented with transgenic grain or malt showed the grain and malt not to be toxic. 8. The barley feed with added transgenic grain or malt containing thermotolerant (1,3-1,4)-beta-glucanase provides an environmentally friendly alternative to enzyme additives, as it uses photosynthetic energy for production of the enzyme in the grain and thus avoids use of non-renewable energy for fermentation. The deposition of the enzyme in the protein bodies of the grain in the field makes coating procedures for stabilisation of enzyme activity superfluous. 9. Barley feed with the small amount of transgenic grain as additive to normal barley provides an alternative for broiler feed in areas where grain maize cannot be grown for climatic reasons or because of unsuitable soil and thus has to be imported.