Synergism between aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in broiler chickens. 1981

W E Huff, and J A Doerr

A 2 X 2 factorial experimental design consisting of four treatments (0, 2.5 microgram/g aflatoxin, 2.0 microgram/g ochratoxin A, and 2.5 microgram/g aflatoxin + 2.0 microgram/g ochratoxin A) with six replicates of 10 birds each was used to evaluate the synergism between aflatoxin and ochratoxin A. The chicks (Hubbard X Hubbard) were maintained on these dietary treatments from hatching until they reached 3 weeks of age, when the experiment was terminated. The size of the liver, spleen, pancreas, and proventriculus was significantly (P less than .05) altered by the individual toxins; however, a synergistic effect on the size of these organs was not observed. The kidney and gizzard were sensitive to the coincident exposure to these mycotoxins and were significantly (P less than .05) enlarged. The kidney was the most sensitive organ to the combined toxicity of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A, and nephropathy was the most important characteristic of this interaction. The synergism between aflatoxin and ochratoxin A significantly (P less than .05) decreased growth rate and numerically increased mortality, demonstrating the enhanced toxicity of cocontaminated feed. Liver lipid levels were significantly (P less than .05) increased by aflatoxin and decreased by ochratoxin A. The interaction of both mycotoxins on this parameter was significant (P less than .05) and the combined effect demonstrates that ochratoxin A inhibited lipid accumulation normally induced by aflatoxin. The data show that toxicity-enhancing synergisms exist between mycotoxins and that symptom patterns are altered during multiple mycotoxicoses. The data also demonstrate that nephropathy is the primary effect of this interaction and, thus, is of diagnostic importance.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007668 Kidney Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations. Kidneys
D008099 Liver A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances. Livers
D008297 Male Males
D009793 Ochratoxins Isocoumarins found in ASPERGILLUS OCHRACEUS and other FUNGI. Ochratoxin contaminated FOOD has been responsible for cases of FOODBORNE DISEASES. Ochratoxin
D009929 Organ Size The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness. Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D001835 Body Weight The mass or quantity of heaviness of an individual. It is expressed by units of pounds or kilograms. Body Weights,Weight, Body,Weights, Body
D002645 Chickens Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA. Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004357 Drug Synergism The action of a drug in promoting or enhancing the effectiveness of another drug. Drug Potentiation,Drug Augmentation,Augmentation, Drug,Augmentations, Drug,Drug Augmentations,Drug Potentiations,Drug Synergisms,Potentiation, Drug,Potentiations, Drug,Synergism, Drug,Synergisms, Drug
D000348 Aflatoxins Furano-furano-benzopyrans that are produced by ASPERGILLUS from STERIGMATOCYSTIN. They are structurally related to COUMARINS and easily oxidized to an epoxide form to become ALKYLATING AGENTS. Members of the group include AFLATOXIN B1; aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2; AFLATOXIN M1; and aflatoxin M2. Aflatoxin
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
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