Toxicology of aflatoxin B1, warfarin, and cadmium in young pigs: performance and hematology

Observations on the interactions of cadmium (Cd) x aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and Cd x warfarin included several variables of animal performance and hematology. Cadmium was fed daily for 40 days (groups IV, V, VI) and a Cd-free diet was fed to groups I, II, and III. Groups II and V were treated with AFB1, and groups III and VI were treated with warfarin--each for 5 days during the 5th week of the experiment and the effects were observed for 10 days. All pigs fed the diet with added Cd had developed severe anemia by the 4th week of the experiment. The incorporation of this toxic concentration of Cd (83 micrograms/g) in the diet seemed to have blocked the liver microsomal enzyme system (cytochrome P-450), diminishing the toxic effects of 5 daily oral doses (0.2 mg/kg of body wt) of AFB1 (group V pigs), but enhancing synergistically the toxic anticoagulant effects of the same doses of warfarin in young pigs (group VI). The data presented also indicated that the feeding of toxic concentrations of Cd stimulated increased glutathione peroxidase activity, which conjugated the AFB1 epoxides with their excretion as reduced glutathione but enhanced the toxic anticoagulant effects of warfarin in young pigs.     

Influence of selenium on aflatoxin B1 or crotalaria toxicity in turkey poults

This research compared the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 and monocrotaline, the active principle of Crotalaria spectabilis, and the additive effect between aflatoxin B1 and monocrotaline in turkey poults. It was of interest whether selenium fed at dosage levels of 0.1, 5, or 10 micrograms/g of feed would protect against the toxic effect of aflatoxin and/or monocrotaline, and whether the toxicants would result in detectable residues in poult tissues. A total of 180 healthy 1-day-old male turkey poults was assigned at random to 12 treatment groups (15 birds/group). Body and liver weight losses, and low serum concentrations in total protein (TP), albumin (A), alpha-globulin (alpha G), and beta-globulin (beta G), as well as high values in gamma-globulin (gamma G), were produced in the groups fed crotalaria. Pathologic changes were induced by monocrotaline with no protection afforded by the added selenium. Low values in TP, A, alpha G, and beta G and in body and liver weights were observed in groups given the combination of aflatoxin plus crotalaria. Gross lesions were associated with an additive toxic effect and a lack of protective effect of selenium against this combination. However, higher values in TP, A, alpha G, and beta G, and liver weights in groups fed aflatoxin B1 plus selenium indicated that selenium had a protective effect against aflatoxin toxicity. Residues of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 were found in the kidneys of poults fed aflatoxin B1; also, dehydroretronecine (the metabolite of monocrotaline) was detected in livers of poults fed Crotalaria spectabilis seeds.     

An assessment of the effects of ruminal selenium pellets given to young sheep grazing selenium-deficient pastures

Thirty-eight species of small cetaceans termed “dolphins” and “porpoises” are listed. This review is a contribution to the growing community and veterinary interest in the welfare and diseases of these animals.     

Absorption and distribution patterns of aflatoxicol and aflatoxins B1 and M1 in blood and milk of cows given aflatoxin B1

Two 600-kg lactating cows were each given a single oral dose (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) of aflatoxin B1 (B1). Samples were obtained at postdosing hours 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 and thereafter every 12 hours for 10 days. Aflatoxicol (Ro), B1, and aflatoxin M1 (M1) were found in the milk, plasma, and RBC of both cows at postdosing hour 1. Maximum concentrations of the toxins were observed at 12 and 60 hours. The ratio of the concentrations for Ro, B1, and M1 was approximately 1:10:100. Both cows had clinical signs of distress at 24 hours; 1 cow died at 60 hours and the other cow recovered within 4 days. In the samples of liver, kidney, urine, bile, and rumen contents of the cow that died, the B1 concentrations were 5.1, 3.3, 4.1, 1.6, and 320 ng/g, respectively, and the M1 concentrations were 4.3, 20, 37, 16, and 8.6 ng/g. The Ro concentrations in the kidney were approximately equal to that of B1; however, liver, urine, bile, and rumen contents concentrations were 0.88, 0.10, 0.36, and 4.9 ng/g, respectively.     

硒对黄曲霉毒素B1中毒雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能的影响

为观察黄曲霉毒素B1(aflatoxin B1,AFTBl)对试验雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能的影响及亚硒酸钠对AFTBl的颉颃效应.本试验以雏鸭为试验动物,7日龄雏鸭90只,共分为3组,每组各30只.第Ⅰ组设为空白对照组,灌胃同等量二甲基哑砜;第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组为试验组.每天分别按0.1 mg/kg体重剂量给第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组雏鸭灌胃AFTB11次,连续投药21 d,试验期间给第Ⅲ组雏鸭每天按1 mg/kg体重剂量灌胃亚硒酸钠(Na2 SeO3)1次.分别在给雏鸭投药后7、14、21d,检测雏鸭肾组织总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氧酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)及丙二醛( MDA)等抗氧化指标.试验结果显示,第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组雏鸭肾组织SOD、CAT、GSH-Px及GR活性与T-AOC均显著低于第Ⅰ组(P＜0.05),而MDA显著高于第Ⅰ组(P＜0.05);与第Ⅱ组相比,经灌胃投用亚硒酸钠的第Ⅲ组雏鸭肾组织各项抗氧化指标均得到明显的改善(P＜0.05).结果表明,黄曲霉毒素B1导致雏鸭肾组织抗氧化功能发生显著的变化,而亚硒酸钠能明显改善其变化.     

Mulberry heart disease in young pigs without vitamin E and selenium deficiency

Mulberry heart disease persists among young pigs in Denmark although abundant supplies of selenium and vitamin E are added to feedstuffs for sows and pigs. The concentrations of selenium and vitamin E in the liver and heart tissues of young pigs which had died suddenly, and had the characteristic lesions of mulberry heart disease post mortem, were not significantly different from the concentrations found in pigs of the same age which had died suddenly for other reasons. The concentrations of selenium and vitamin E in the livers (0.3 mg/kg and 4 mg/kg, respectively) appeared to be satisfactory in all the pigs examined.     

黄曲霉毒素B1对肥育猪生长性能及血液、肝脏功能的影响

为研究黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)对肥育猪生长性能及血液肝脏功能的影响,选取体重为(80±2)kg的“杜×长×大”三元杂交肥育猪28头,随机分为4组(每组7头),分别饲喂4种不同处理日粮,即在基础日粮中添加0、20、100、200 μg/kg AFB1,预饲期7 d,试验期28 d。结果发现:日粮中添加AFB1,高剂量组平均日增重比对照组下降了9.1%(P < 0.01),而中剂量组和高剂量组的平均日采食量比对照组分别降低了1.9%、3.3%(P < 0.01)。添加AFB1高剂量组血清红细胞(RBC)比对照组提高14.6%(P < 0.05),低、中、高剂量组血红蛋白(HGB)含量比对照组分别提高14.4%、13.6%、18.7%(P < 0.01);高剂量组白细胞(WBC)比对照组降低了22.9%(P < 0.05),低、中、高剂量组血小板(PLT)分别比对照组降低36.5%、45.0%、51.2%(P < 0.01)。与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量组碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性分别提高33.8%、65.5%、93.2%(P < 0.01),谷草转氨酶(GOT)活性分别提高24.1%(P < 0.05)、137.7%、195.5%(P < 0.01),中、高剂量组谷丙转氨酶(GPT)活性分别提高25.8%(P < 0.05)、62.2%、131.0%(P < 0.01)。而肝脏中AKP、GOT、GPT活性随AFB1添加量增加呈下降趋势,与对照组相比,低、中、高剂量组GOT活性分别降低16.9%、23.1%、25.1%(P < 0.01),AKP活性分别降低19.1%(P < 0.05)、42.2%、43.9%(P < 0.01),GPT活性分别降低5.0%、6.8%(P < 0.05)。以上结果表明,日粮中AFB1超标,尤其是含量达到100 μg/kg以上时,肥育猪生长性能下降,并且肥育猪的血液肝脏功能受到损害。     

Adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 on skeletal muscle development in broiler chickens

1. Detrimental effects of in ovo administrated of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) on the embryonic development of skeletal muscle were determined using histological methods.

2. A total of 420 eggs of a Ross broiler parent stock were incubated and divided into 4 groups: (1) control, (2) 5 ng AFB₁/egg group, (3) 15 ng AFB₁/egg group, (4) 40 ng AFB₁/egg group. Test solutions were injected via the air-sac, just prior to setting the eggs in the incubator.

3. Five eggs from each group were opened on different days of incubation (11d, 13d, 17d and 21d). Developmental stages of embryos were determined according to the Hamburger–Hamilton scale and embryos were weighed. Skeletal muscle tissue samples were dissected and fixed, sectioned and stained with Crossman’s trichrome and AgNOR.

4. The mean relative embryo, leg muscle and breast muscle weights of AFB₁-treated groups were lower than the control group and decreased with increasing AFB₁. The nucleus area and AgNOR area of the AFB₁-treated groups were also lower than the control group whereas there were no significant differences in AgNOR numbers and AgNOR area/nucleus area among the treatment groups.

5. It was concluded that in ovo administrated of AFB₁ adversely affected the embryonic development of skeletal muscle and that affected animals might therefore be more susceptible to skeletal and muscle disorders during the growing period.     

The effects of soybean selenium proteinate on tissue selenium and meat quality traits in finishing pigs

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of soybean selenium proteinate on Se tissue retention and meat quality in pigs. In group A (n = 11) the mixtures were supplemented with soybean selenium proteinate, in group B (n = 11) with sodium selenite and in group C (n = 11) with Se-enriched yeast (0.3 mg Se per kg in all groups). The use of soybean selenium proteinate resulted in lower retention of Se in tissues (liver, heart, muscle) compared to Se-enriched yeast. Selenium concentrations in tissues achieved by soybean selenium proteinate and sodium selenite were comparable. No differences in serum Se, serum GSH-Px and meat quality traits were found among the groups.     

Comparative effects of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium transfer from sows to nursing pigs

To investigate the effects of supplemental Se on the transfer of Se to nursing pigs when sows are fed diets containing a Se level above the NRC recommendation (0.15 ppm), sows were fed diets containing no supplemental Se or supplemental (0.3 ppm) Se from sodium selenite or Se yeast. A nonSe-fortified corn-soybean meal basal diet with a high endogenous Se content served as the negative control (0.20 to 0.23 ppm Se). Fifty-two sows were fed diets from 60 d prepartum until 14 d of lactation. Six sows per treatment were bled at 60 and 30 d prepartum, at farrowing, and at 14 d postpartum to measure serum Se concentrations. Colostrum was collected within 12 h postpartum, and milk was collected at 14 d of lactation. Blood was obtained from 3 pigs each from 12 litters per treatment at birth and at weaning (d 14), and pooled serum was analyzed for Se and immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity. Regardless of treatment, serum Se in sows declined throughout gestation and gradually increased during lactation. Sows fed Se yeast tended (P < 0.06) to have greater serum Se at farrowing than sows fed unsupplemented diets. Colostrum and milk (d 14) Se concentrations increased (P < 0.01) when sows were fed Se from yeast but not from sodium selenite. At birth, serum Se was increased (P < 0.01) for pigs whose dams were fed Se yeast compared with pigs from sows fed the basal diet. At 14 d of age, there was no difference in serum Se concentration of pigs from dams fed any of the treatments. Pig serum immunoglobulin G concentrations and glutathione peroxidase-1 activity were unaffected by dietary Se source. Supplementation of gestating and lactating sow diets with Se (0.3 ppm) from an organic or inorganic source reduced the number of stillbirths per litter. However, only pigs born to sows fed organic Se (Se yeast) had greater serum Se at birth. Organic Se increased Se concentration of colostrum and 14-d milk to a greater degree than inorganic Se.     

An overview of aflatoxin B1 biotransformation and aflatoxin M1 secretion in lactating dairy cows

Milk is considered a perfect natural food for humans and animals. However, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contaminating the feeds fed to lactating dairy cows can introduce aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), the main toxic metabolite of aflatoxins into the milk, consequently posing a risk to human health. As a result of AFM1 monitoring in raw milk worldwide, it is evident that high AFM1 concentrations exist in raw milk in many countries. Thus, the incidence of AFM1 in milk from dairy cows should not be underestimated. To further optimize the intervention strategies, it is necessary to better understand the metabolism of AFB1 and its biotransformation into AFM1 and the specific secretion pathways in lactating dairy cows. The metabolism of AFB1 and its biotransformation into AFM1 in lactating dairy cows are drawn in this review. Furthermore, recent data provide evidence that in the mammary tissue of lactating dairy cows, aflatoxins significantly increase the activity of a protein, ATP-binding cassette super-family G member 2 (ABCG2), an efflux transporter known to facilitate the excretion of various xenobiotics and veterinary drugs into milk. Further research should focus on identifying and understanding the factors that affect the expression of ABCG2 in the mammary gland of cows.     

Immunosuppressive effects of aflatoxin B1 in Indian major carp (Labeo rohita).

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a potent immunomodulator in endotherms. The experiment was carried out to study the immunosuppressive nature of AFB1 in one ectothermic species of Indian major carp. Graded levels (0, 1.25, 5.00 mg/kg of body weight) of purified AFB1 were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected into rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings weighing 30-50 g, and the fish were observed for a period of 90 days. At the end of the trial, blood samples were collected from the control group as well as the AFB1 injected fish and were screened for nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin-globulin ratio (A:G), serum bactericidal activity and bacterial agglutination titre against Edwardsiella tarda. The aflatoxin-treated fish revealed a reduction of total protein, globulin levels, bacterial agglutination titre, NBT and serum bactericidal activities, as well as an enhanced A:G ratio without change in albumin concentration, irrespective of dose levels of toxin treatment, when compared to the control group. Thus, AFB1 proved to be immunosuppressive in rohu even at the lowest dose (1.25 mg/kg body weight) of toxin treatment. This could be of economic significance in intensive culture systems of rohu.     

Comparative effects of high dietary levels of organic and inorganic selenium on selenium toxicity of growing-finishing pigs

This experiment evaluated the effect of high dietary Se levels using organic or inorganic Se on the selenosis responses in growing-finishing swine. A 2 x 4 factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design was conducted in two replicates. Sodium selenite or Se-enriched yeast was added at 5, 10, 15, or 20 ppm Se to corn-soybean meal diets. A basal diet without added Se was a ninth treatment group. Ninety crossbred barrows initially averaging 24.7 kg BW were allotted at five pigs per pen. Pigs were bled at 3-wk intervals and plasma Se, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (PGOT), hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and blood cell Se concentration were measured. After 12 wk, pigs were killed and various tissues and bile were collected for Se analyses. Pig body weights, daily gains, and feed intakes were similar for both Se sources when provided at < or = 5 ppm Se, but each measurement declined in a different manner for each Se source as the dietary Se level increased. The decline was more rapid when the inorganic rather than organic Se source was fed, resulting in interaction responses (P < 0.01). Hair loss (alopecia) and separation of the hoof at the coronary band site occurred at > or = 10 ppm inorganic Se but at > or = 15 ppm organic Se level. Plasma GSH-Px activity increased (P < 0.01) when high dietary Se levels of either Se source was fed. Plasma and blood cell Se increased at each period as dietary Se level increased (P < 0.01) and was greater when organic Se was provided (P < 0.05). Blood cell Se concentration reached a plateau when inorganic Se, but not when organic Se, was fed and increased as the experiment progressed. This resulted in a three-way interaction (P < 0.01). Plasma GOT activity at the 12-wk period was elevated when inorganic Se was provided at > or = 15 ppm Se but not when organic Se was fed, resulting in an interaction (P < 0.05). Tissue Se concentrations increased as dietary Se level increased and when organic Se was provided, resulting in interaction responses (P < 0.05). Bile was a yellow color when the basal diet was fed but was dark brown at > 10 ppm inorganic Se and at 20 ppm when organic Se was provided. Bile Se increased as dietary Se level increased (P < 0.01). These results suggest that dietary Se from inorganic or organic sources was toxic at > or = 5 ppm Se, but subsequent selenosis effects were more severe and occurred sooner when sodium selenite was the Se source.     

The effects of direct and microsomal activated aflatoxin B1 on chicken peritoneal macrophages in vitro.

Sephadex-elicited peritoneal exudate cells were cultured on glass coverslips in order to determine the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on chicken macrophages. Adherent macrophage monolayers were exposed for 1 h to 5, 10, and 20 micrograms ml-1 of AFB1, directly or to 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 micrograms ml-1 of AFB1 in the presence of a chicken microsomal mixed function oxidase system (MFO). After exposure, the macrophage cultures were washed and allowed to recover for 2 h in fresh culture medium. Parameters measured at 2 h post recovery period were the substrate adherence potential, morphological alterations, phagocytic ability, and number of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) internalized per phagocytic macrophage. Direct in vitro exposure to AFB1 resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in macrophage adherence potential, and an increase in cell damage as determined by nuclear disintegration and cytoplasmic blebbing, but no detrimental effects were observed on percent phagocytic cells or the number of internalized SRBC. However, significant reductions in adherence potential, increased morphological alterations, and reduced phagocytosis and internalization of SRBC were observed when MFOs were added to cultures treated with much lower doses of AFB1. Addition of piperonyl butoxide (a P-450 inhibitor) abrogated AFB1-MFO induced alterations. This study suggests that microsomal activated AFB1 causes significant alterations in chicken macrophage functions.