Influence of esterified-glucomannan on performance and organ morphology, serum biochemistry and haematology in broilers exposed to individual and combined mycotoxicosis (aflatoxin, ochratoxin and T-2 toxin)

1. A study was conducted to evaluate the individual and combined effects of aflatoxin B1 (AF), ochratoxin A (OA) and T-2 toxin (T-2) on performance, organ morphology serum biochemistry and haematology of broiler chickens and the efficacy of esterified-glucomannan (E-GM), a cell wall derivative of Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026 in their counteraction. 2. Two dietary inclusion rates of AF (0 and 0.3 mg/kg), OA (0 and 2 mg/kg), T-2 (0 and 3 mg/kg) and E-GM (0 and 1 g/kg) were tested in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial manner on a total of 960 broiler chickens from 1 to 35 d of age in an open sided deep litter pen house. 3. Body weight and food intake were depressed by all the mycotoxins, OA being the most toxic during early life. 4. Weights of kidney and adrenals were increased by AF and OA. Liver weight was increased by AF (17.8%), while OA increased gizzard weight (14.6%) and reduced bone ash content (8.1%). T-2 toxin showed no effect on these variables. 5. Serum cholesterol content was decreased and activity of serum gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) was increased by AF and OA while serum protein content was decreased by AF. These effects were more pronounced at 21 d than at 35 d of age. Inconsistent responses were seen in the other variables: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) content, activities of serum alanine amino transferase and aspertate amino transferase. Blood haemoglobin content was depressed by AF and T-2, whereas blood coagulation time was prolonged by OA. 6. Significant interactions were observed between any 2 toxins for their additive effects on body weight, food intake, bone ash content and serum GGT activity at 21 d. Conversely, antagonistic interactions were observed among any 2 of the toxins for their effects on variables such as serum protein and serum cholesterol content. Simultaneous feeding of all 3 mycotoxins did not show increased toxicity above that seen with any 2. 7. Esterified-glucomannan increased body weight (2.26%) and food intake (1.6%), decreased weights of liver (32.5%) and adrenals (18.9%) and activity of serum GGT (8.7%), and increased serum protein (14.7%), cholesterol (21.9%), BUN (20.8%) and blood haemoglobin (3.1%) content, indicating its possible beneficial effect on mycotoxicosis in broiler chickens.     

Fumonisin toxicity in broiler chicks.

The effects of dietary fumonisin B1 were evaluated in young broiler chicks. The experimental design consisted of 5 treatments each with 9 randomly allotted male broiler chicks. Day-old chicks were fed diets containing 0 (feed control), 100, 200, 300, or 400 mg fumonisin B1/kg feed for 21 days. Response variables measured were chick performance, organ weights, serum biochemistry, and histologic parameters. Body weights and average daily gain dramatically decreased with increasing dietary fumonisin B1, and liver, proventriculus, and gizzard weights increased. Diarrhea, thymic cortical atrophy, multifocal hepatic necrosis, biliary hyperplasia, and rickets were present in chicks fed diets containing fumonisin B1. Serum calcium, cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase levels all increased at higher fumonisin dietary levels. Results indicate that fumonisin, from Fusarium moniliforme culture material, is toxic in young chicks.     

Citrinin mycotoxicosis in the rabbit: ultrastructural alterations

Citrinin was given to rabbits as a single oral dose of 120 or 67 mg/kg. Rabbits were killed at 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours post dosing, and the kidneys were fixed by intravascular perfusion. Ultrastructural alterations were evident by 4 hours after treatment. In the proximal tubule, alterations were brush border disruption, cytoplasmic rarefaction, and swelling of interdigitating processes. At higher doses, mitochondria were condensed and distorted. Medullary and straight cortical distal tubules had marked distention of the intercellular spaces and disorganization of interdigitating processes. Changes in cortical and outer medullary collecting ducts were similar but less severe. Renal alterations were suggestive of damage to membrane structure and/or transport functions and interference with cellular bioenergetics. Leukocytic infiltration was associated with damaged tubules indicating a contribution of inflammation to the development of the lesions.     

Chromium propionate improves performance and carcass traits in broilers

There is evidence to suggest that poultry may have a dietary requirement for metabolically available chromium (Cr) that exceeds the amount provided through wheat soybean meal diets. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplemental organic Cr from Cr propionate at different dose levels (control = 0 μg/kg, T1 = 200 μg/kg, T2 = 400 μg/kg) on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broilers. Weight gain and feed intake of each treatment were recorded at the start and after 14, 28 and 35 d, and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were calculated accordingly. At 35 d of age, birds were randomly selected and euthanized for carcass evaluation. Results of the first trial indicate that both Cr propionate treatments increased final body weight (P < 0.05), feed efficiency (P < 0.05) and body weight gain (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, Cr propionate supplementation improved (P < 0.0001) all carcass characteristics. Interestingly, with increased Cr dosage, carcass yield, dressing percentage and breast meat yield increased linearly (P < 0.0001). The second study reveals that the feed intake in the control group was significantly higher compared to both Cr propionate supplemented groups (T1 & T2). Furthermore, the Cr propionate supplemented T2 group displayed a significantly lower FCR than the control and T1 group (P = 0.027). Finally, Cr propionate supplementation increased the dressing percentage compared to control birds (P < 0.0001). In the third experiment, Cr propionate supplementation (T1 & T2) increased final body weight and decreased FCR compared with the control treatment. These effects were highly significant (P < 0.0001) throughout all feeding phases of the trial. Cr propionate supplementation also increased (P < 0.0001) carcass yield, dressing percentage, breast meat yield, leg and thigh weights compared with the control treatment. In conclusion, growth performance, feed conversion, carcass yield, breast and leg meats of broiler birds can be significantly improved by dietary inclusion of Cr propionate. Cr propionate can be supplemented to broiler birds from 1 d old of age at a level that provides 200 or 400 μg/kg organic Cr and can increase the efficiency of broiler production.     

蛋氨酸螯合锰对肉仔鸡免疫性能的影响

将刚出壳的AA商品代肉仔鸡150只随机分成3组,以玉米-豆粕型日粮为基础日粮,分别添加100mg/kg MnSO4(试验1组)、60mg/kg蛋氨酸螯合锰(试验2组)和100mg/kg蛋氨酸螯合锰(试验3组),进行饲养试验。分别测定了各组肉仔鸡21日龄、42日龄胸腺、脾脏和法氏囊指数,并在42日龄时检测血清中总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白的含量。结果表明,等剂量(100mg/kg)的蛋氨酸螯合锰和硫酸锰相比可使肉仔鸡免疫器官指数和血清球蛋白含量显著提高(P0.05),但对成活率影响不显著(P0.05);而低剂量(60mg/kg)的蛋氨酸螯合锰与硫酸锰(100mg/kg)相比各项指标差异均不显著(P0.05)。     

Zearalenone and deoxynivalenol mycotoxicosis in dairy cattle herds

Mycotoxin contaminations pose a growing problem in animal production from the economic and toxicological point of view. Clinical symptoms of mycotoxicosis are relatively unspecific, making the disease difficult to diagnose. This study presents a clinical case of dairy cattle infected with natural mycotoxins produced by fungi of the genus Fusarium (zearalenone [ZEA] and deoxynivalenol [DON]) in eastern Poland. In dead and infected cows, the presence of ZEA and DON was determined in the blood serum, significant changes were observed in blood morphological and biochemical profiles, extravasations and bowel inflammations were also observed. The results reported testify to an acute autoimmune process in the intestines as well as immunosuppression.     

Granulocytopaenia and thrombocytopaenia in dairy cattle--a suspected mycotoxicosis

During a 6-week period, 22 Dairy Shorthorn cows and heifers died with granulocytopaenia and thrombocytopaenia. Clinical signs observed in the affected animals included increased salivation, pyrexia, depression, rumenal stasis, bilateral epistaxis, melaena, increased bleeding after removal of retained foetal membranes and rapid weight loss. Despite intensive antibiotic and vitamin K therapy and blood transfusions, all affected animals died. The aetiological agent, thought to be a fungal toxin, could not be isolated from post mortem specimens or pasture samples.     

人参渣在肉鸡生产应用中的研究

人参是我国传统的中药药材,皂苷和氨基酸是其重要的组成部分。试验选取28日龄健康AA肉鸡96只,随机分成4组,每组3个重复,每个重复8只。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别添加10、25、50mg/kg人参渣。试验结果表明,各试验组与对照组相比,随着日粮中添加人参渣量的增加显著提高试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组的日增重及显著改善试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ组饲料转化率(P<0.05),但虽对试验Ⅰ组有所改善但不显著(P>0.05)。其中添加50mg/kg人参渣料的效果较好。     

Investigation of suspected cases of mycotoxicosis in farm animals in Britain.

Mycotoxins were detected in 13 out of 131 feed samples examined over two years. Screening of feeds associated with cases of suspected mycotoxicosis occurring in farm animals over a further 12 month period showed that most incidents occurred during the winter and involved mainly cattle and pigs fed concentrates. A haemorrhagic syndrome in cattle and abortions in sows were most frequently connected with mouldy food. One or more known toxins (the aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocystin and zearalenone) were detected in three out of 65 cases and a wide variety of fungi were isolated. Toxicity to experimental animals was demonstrated in four out of 22 samples.     

DDGS对麻黄肉鸡生长性能的影响

试验选取32日龄的麻黄肉鸡1200只,随机分成4组,每组5个重复,每个重复60只鸡。饲粮分别添加0%,2%,4%,6%的DDGS,试验期为36 d。试验结果表明,日粮中添加0%、4%、6%、8%的DDGS对黄羽肉鸡的生长性能均无显著影响(P>0.05)。但4%添加组料肉比最低。综合考虑饲料成本及经济效益等因素,本试验条件下,以DDGS添加量为4%的效益最好。     

Cyclopiazonic acid mycotoxicosis in the dog

The subacute toxic effects of cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; given orally) were characterized in the dog (CPA was purified from cultures of Aspergillus flavus). Four groups of dogs were given CPA in gelatin capsules for 90 days at the following dosage levels: 0.05, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg of body weight; a 5th group was used as controls. All dogs administered the 0.5 and 1.0 mg of CPA/kg dosages and 1 dog given the 0.25 mg of CPA/kg dosage died or were humanely killed before the scheduled termination of the study. Clinical signs of intoxication appeared 2 to 44 days after dosing was started and consisted of anorexia and, in 1 to 2 days, vomiting, diarrhea, pyrexia, dehydration, weight loss, and CNS depression. Grossly, the entire alimentary tract had diffuse hyperemia with focal areas of hemorrhage and ulceration. Other lesions were renal infarcts, necrotizing epididymitis, and ulcerative dermatitis. Microscopic lesions included ulceration, necrosis, vasculitis, lymphoid necrosis, karyomegaly in several organs, and decreased mitotic activity in intestinal crypt epithelium. Ulcerative and necrotic lesions were usually associated with vascular lesions. Clinical pathologic changes were leukocytosis, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity.     

Molds, mycotoxins, and mycotoxicosis

Interest in mycotoxins and mycotoxicosis in humans and animals has greatly increased in recent years. Horses have long been considered very susceptible to molds. The signs, treatment, and prevention of several conditions, such as leukoencephalomalacia, aflatoxicosis, ergotism, fescue toxicity, slobbering disease, ryegrass staggers, and moldy sweet clover disease, are discussed.     

果胶酶对肉仔鸡生长性能及屠体性状的影响

试验选用 1日龄商品艾维茵肉仔鸡 4 32只。完全随机分为 2 4圈 ,每圈 18只 ,地面平养 5 4天。试验分为 4个处理 ,每个处理 6圈 ,分别饲喂 4种不同的日粮 ,即对照组 (基础日粮组 )、添加金霉素 5 0mg/kg日粮组、添加果胶酶 5 0 0mg/kg日粮组、添加果胶酶 10 0 0mg/kg日粮组。试验结果表明 ,果胶酶在肉仔鸡饲养前 2 1日龄的促生长效果显著 ,平均日增重 (ADG)和平均日采食量 (ADFI)均比对照组有显著增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,饲料转化率显著提高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,与抗生素效果相当 ;2 1～ 4 2日龄时仅 5 0 0mg/kg果胶酶组出现ADFI比对照组显著增加 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但饲料转化率较其它各组显著降低 (P <0 .0 5 )。 4 2～ 5 4日龄时 5 0 0mg/kg果胶酶组ADG显著高于抗生素组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,饲料转化率显著提高 (P <0 .0 5 )。饲养全期 ,添加抗生素或果胶酶组ADG与对照组差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,ADFI仅5 0 0mg/kg果胶酶组与对照组有显著差异 (P <0 .0 5 )。     

肌肽对肉鸡生长性能及内分泌激素的影响

将1日龄AA肉鸡400只,随机分成4组.1～4组肌肽添加剂量分别为0、20、40和60 mg/L,于每周末测定周增重、料重比、小肠发育或血清激素水平.结果显示,肌肤各组的周增重均高于对照组.但4～6周差异不显著(P>0.05).肌肽各组的料重比均低于对照组(P<0.05或P<0.01).肌肽第1周各组不同程度提高小肠各段的相对重,之后出现相反的影响.肌肽处理没有影响生长激素(GH)组间的差异.肌肽各组T3水平除4周高于对照组外(P>0.05),其他均低于对照组,并且第6周差异显著(P<0.05).肌肽各组第4周T4水平低于对照组(P<0.01),而6周时组间没有差异.结果表明,肌肽能够提高肉鸡的生长性能;有效促进雏鸡的小肠生长发育;生长中期肌肤还可使血清T4向T3的转化明显加强.     

芽孢杆菌制剂对肉仔鸡生产性能和免疫力的影响

本文旨在研究日粮中添加芽孢杆茵制荆对内仔鸡生产性能和免疫力的影响.选用300只1日龄爱拨益加肉仔鸡.随机分成2组,每组3个重复,每个重复50只鸡.2个处理分别为:基础日粮组(Ⅰ)、基础日粮+0.2%芽孢杆茵制剂组(Ⅱ).试验结果表明:芽孢杆菌制剂提高了肉仔鸡的日增重,在3周龄和4周龄试验组(Ⅱ)与对照组(Ⅰ)相比差异显著(P<0.05),在5周龄和6周龄试验组(Ⅱ)与对照组(I)相比差异极显著(P<0.01);提高了饲料报酬.在3周龄试验组(Ⅱ)与对照组(Ⅰ)相比差异显著(P<0.05),在4～6周龄试验组(Ⅱ)与对照组(Ⅰ)相比差异极显著(P<0.01).肉仔鸡的免疫器官指数、鸡新城疫(NDV)抗体水平与对照组(Ⅰ)相比差异显著.同时也提高了肉仔鸡机体的健康状况.     

壳聚糖对肉仔鸡生长性能与免疫功能的影响

将120只1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡随机分成5组,每组3个重复,每重复8只鸡。对照组(Ⅰ)喂给基础日粮,试验组(Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ)分别在基础日粮中添加10、20、30g/kg壳聚糖和5mg/kg黄霉素,试验期3周。试验结果表明:肉仔鸡日粮中添加10g/kg壳聚糖能够不影响其生长性能,而添加量增大到20g/kg和30g/kg,严重影响肉仔鸡生长性能。添加壳聚糖不能提高日粮营养物质的利用率但能提高肉仔鸡免疫功能。     

糖肽酮萜素对肉仔鸡屠宰性能与肉质性状的影响

选1日龄Avian肉仔鸡600羽,随机分成3组,每组4个重复,每个重复50羽。空白对照组基础日粮(无抗生素添加剂日粮),抗生素对照组基础日粮 380mg/kg金霉素,试验组饲喂基础日粮 500mg/kg糖肽酮萜素,试验期49d。屠宰试验结果表明,在饲料中添加糖肽酮萜素有提高肉仔鸡的腿肌率和胸肌率以及降低腹脂率的趋势(P<0.05);试验组肌肉中的胆固醇含量较空白对照组和抗生素对照组分别降低了28.94%和27.15%,差异极显著;试验组的胸肌中重金属铅的含量比空白对照组和抗生素对照组分别降低了27.13%和19.66%,差异显著;试验组的重金属镉的含量比空白对照组和抗生素对照组分别降低了36.00%和30.43%,差异极显著。试验结果表明,饲料中添加糖肽酮萜素可以明显提高肉仔鸡的屠宰性能和改善肉质性状。